Effect of Captopril on Some Haematological Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Background: Despite all efforts to establish the pathogenesis of malaria, it is far from being understood, and resistance to existing drugs remain a problem in several strains of Plasmodium. Different complications arise during malaria infection, and among these is the alteration in haematological parameters. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on some haematological parameters and DNA fragmentation in blood of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

Methodology: Forty (40) apparently healthy mice were divided into five groups of eight mice each: control (not infected, not treated), malaria control (P. berghei-infected, not treated), Standard control (P. berghei-infected, treated with 0.03 mg/kg Lonart: Artemether 20 mg, Lumefantrine 120 mg), captopril low dose (P. berghei-infected, treated with 0.03 mg/kg captopril) and captopril high dose (P. berghei-infected, treated at with 0.09 mg/kg captopril). The mice were treated for 14 days, and parasitemia monitored every other day. The mice were sacrificed on the 15th day and blood obtained for biochemical analysis: plasma full blood count and DNA fragmentation.

Results: Induction of malaria significantly (P<0.05) decreased the red blood cell, haematocrit and platelet count, while haemoglobin level increased significantly (P<0.05) in malaria control mice compared to mice in the control group. Also, the plasma mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased significantly (P<0.05) in malaria control group compared to the control group. Treatment with the standard drug, lonart and captopril improved all the haematological parameters, while haematological parameters of mice treated with 0.09 mg/kg of captopril were brought back to normal. With respect to DNA fragmentation, treatment of P. berghei-infected mice with lonart and captopril significantly (P<0.05) increased percentage DNA fragmentation compared to mice in control and malaria control groups.

Conclusion: This result shows that captopril, especially at high concentration, may play a protective role against malaria infection.