Objective:To determine the potential drug-drug interactions between anti-malarial candidate 97/78 and anti-tubercular drug rifabutin in-vivo in rats followed byin-vitro investigation of the underlying mechanisms of drug interaction.Methods: Single oral dose study was conducted in male and female rats at 40 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg for 97/78 and rifabutin respectively. Results:It was reported that rifabutin co-administration altered pharmacokinetics of 97/63 (active metabolite of 97/78). A significant decrease was reported in the systemic exposure of 97/63 by a factor of 3-4. The AUC0-last values were (4.03 ± 0.60) and (5.44 ± 1.15) μg?h?mL-1 upon 97/78 administration alone, while the values were decreased to (1.13 ± 0.10) and (1.23 ± 1.13) μg?h?mL-1 upon rifabutin co-administration in male and female rats respectively. Statistically significant differences were also reported in Cmaxand Tmax values upon rifabutin co-administration.In-vitro drug metabolism study in rat liver microsomes has shown that the metabolism of 97/63 was increased by 10%-12% upon rifabutin co-incubation. The extent of plasma protein binding of 97/63 was found to be decreased from 54%-55% to 6%-8% upon rifabutin addition.Conclusions:It was concluded that rifabutin co-administration altered PK parameters of 97/63 in SD rats. However, no intersex influences were reported in the interaction pattern. The results obtained in the in-vivo study were well correlated with thein-vitro findings and can further be applied to explore other aspects of potential drug interactions between these two drugs.

To study the effect of 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone (nitrofurazone), a derivative of nitrofuran, on male reproductive organs of Parkes (P) strain mice. Methods: Mice were given nitrofurazone orally at a dose of 64mg/kg body weight per day, for 10 and 20 days, and were killed 24 h and/or 56 days after the last treatment. Histological appearance of testis, motility and number of spermatozoa in cauda epididymidis, and biochemical indices in epididymis and seminal vesicle were evaluated. Results: Histologically, testis showed marked regressive changes in the seminiferous tubules in mice treated with nitrofurazone. Ten days after treatment, there was much depletion of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules, and the germinal epithelium was lined mainly with Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and a few round spermatids; intraepithelial vacuoles and multinucleated giant cells were also observed in tubules. By 20 days, regressive changes in the seminiferous tubules were further pronounced, and pachytene spermatocytes were the most advanced germ cells noticed in the tubules. In severe cases, the tubules were lined with a thin layer of Sertoli cells and spennatogonia. The treatment also caused marked reductions in the motility and number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis, in weight and the level of fructose in the seminal vesicle, and in sialic acid level in the epididymis. Fifty six days after drug withdrawal, the alterations induced in the reproductive organs returned to control levels. Conclusion: Our results suggest that nitrofurazone treatment in P mice induces marked alterations in the male reproductive organs, and that the alterations are reversible following cessation of treatment.

Objective: To determine the potential drug-drug interactions between anti-malarial candidate 97/78 and anti-tubercular drug rifabutin in-vivo in rats followed by in-vitro investigation of the underlying mechanisms of drug interaction. Methods: Single oral dose study was conducted in male and female rats at 40 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg for 97/78 and rifabutin respectively. Results: It was reported that rifabutin co-administration altered pharmacokinetics of 97/63 (active metabolite of 97/78). A significant decrease was reported in the systemic exposure of 97/63 by a factor of 3-4. The AUC0-last values were (4.03 ± 0.60) and (5.44 ± 1.15) μg h mL^-1 upon 97/78 administration alone, while the values were decreased to (1.13 ± 0.10) and (1.23 ± 1.13) μg h mL^-1 upon rifabutin co-administration in male and female rats respectively. Statistically significant differences were also reported in Cmax and Tmax values upon rifabutin co-administration. In-vitro drug metabolism study in rat liver microsomes has shown that the metabolism of 97/63 was increased by 10%-12% upon rifabutin co-incubation. The extent of plasma protein binding of 97/63 was found to be decreased from 54%-55% to 6%-8% upon rifabutin addition. Conclusions: It was concluded that rifabutin co-administration altered PK parameters of 97/63 in SD rats. However, no intersex influences were reported in the interaction pattern. The results obtained in the in-vivo study were well correlated with the in-vitro findings and can further be applied to explore other aspects of potential drug interactions between these two drugs.