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Effects of lime juice on malaria parasite clearance
S A Adegoke1, O A Oyelami, O S Olatunya
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. adegoke2samade@yahoo.com
Insights
Adding lime juice to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) significantly speeds up malaria parasite clearance in children. This preliminary study suggests lime juice enhances the effectiveness of ACT for uncomplicated malaria treatment.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions.
- Effective and accessible treatment strategies are crucial for malaria control.
- Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is a recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of lime juice as an adjunct therapy on malaria parasite clearance.
- To evaluate the impact of lime juice on the efficacy of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) in children with uncomplicated malaria.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled study involving 120 children with acute uncomplicated malaria.
- Participants were treated with ACT alone or ACT in combination with lime juice.
- Parasite load reduction and complete parasite clearance were monitored over 72 hours.
Main Results:
- The average time to achieve >75% reduction in parasite load was significantly lower with ACT and lime juice (30.5 h) compared to ACT alone (38.6 h).
- A significantly higher proportion of children receiving ACT with lime juice achieved complete parasite clearance by 72 hours.
- No adverse side effects were reported with the addition of lime juice.
Conclusions:
- Lime juice, when used with ACT, may enhance malaria parasite clearance in children with uncomplicated malaria.
- This preliminary finding suggests a potential complementary role for lime juice in malaria treatment regimens.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and explore the mechanisms involved.
Abstract:
One hundred and twenty children with acute uncomplicated malaria who were managed at the children's outpatient department of the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa (a unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria) were recruited into the study to determine the effects of lime juice on malaria parasite clearance. These children were randomized into treatment with World Health Organization recommended antimalarials (artemisinin combination therapy, ACT) either alone or with lime juice. Nine of them were lost to follow-up, four were in the group that were managed with ACT and lime, and five in the group that were managed on ACT alone. The average (SD) time to achieve >75% reduction in parasite load was significantly lower in patients on ACT and lime; 30.5 ± 2.4 h against 38.6 ± 3.3 h for those on ACT alone (p < 0.001). Also, while a significantly higher proportion of children on antimalarial drugs and lime juice achieved complete parasite clearance by 72 h of therapy (p = 0.007), ten (18.2%) patients without lime had early treatment failure (p = 0.003). There were no side effects with the use of lime juice. It may therefore be inferred, from this preliminary work, that lime juice when used with the appropriate antimalarial may enhance malaria parasite clearance especially in those with uncomplicated malaria.
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