Self-microemulsifiyng suppository formulation of β-artemether

Parasitic diseases are of immense global significance as around 30% of world's population experiences parasitic infections. Among these, malaria is the most life-threatening disease. Various routes of administration have been explored for delivering antimalarial actives. The present investigation aims at formulating self-microemulsifying suppositories of β-artemether with faster onset of action and prolonged effect to be administered by rectal route. These were compared with conventional polyethylene glycol suppositories with respect to melting range, rheology, texture analysis, disintegration time, self microemulsification time, particle size, and drug content. In vitro drug release was studied by using USP apparatus II. Further, the suppositories were evaluated in murine model against virulent rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei wherein the developed self-microemulsifying suppositories could sustain the activity (94%) for 20 days post infection. The survival of animals was also better as compared to the conventional formulation.