Synthesis and Clinical Examination of Novel Formulations of Ivermectin, Albendazole and Niclosamide for the Treatment of Equine Gastrointestinal Helminthoses.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop new complex preparations of ivermectin, niclosamide and albendazole based on solid-phase mechanochemical technology, and to evaluate their efficacy against equine nematodosis and cestodosis.

METHODS

Novel formulation of antiparasitic paste were prepared using joint mechano-chemical treatment of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg bodyweight; BW), niclosamide (10 mg/kg BW) and albendazole (3, 5, 10 mg/kg BW) substances with polyvinylpyrrolidone and arabinogalactan. For the evaluation of activity of different doses of formulations against gastrointestinal tract helminths a total of 151 adult horses of the Novoaltai breed weighing 450-500 kg naturally infected with strongyles (>150 egg per gram of faeces, EPG), Parascaris spp. (>20 EPG) and Anoplocephala spp. (>10 EPG) were selected. Antiparasitic pastes were orally fed to the horses and faecal egg count reduction counts were compared prior to and 14 days after the treatment.

RESULTS

Pastes with mechanically modified ivermectin showed 91.4-100% efficacy against strongyles and Parascaris. Pastes with modified albendazole and niclosamide were also effective against Anoplocephala in all tested dosages i.e. 78.6-100%. In particular, treatment with two formulations containing i) 0.2 mg ivermectin, 10 mg albendazole, 10 mg niclosamide, and ii) 0.2 mg ivermectin, 3 mg albendazole showed 100% efficacy against strongyles, Parascaris and Anoplocephala.

CONCLUSION

Solid-phase mechanochemical technology could be applied in equine anthelminthics production. It is suggested that future studies focus on plasma concentration-time profile of these highly effective pastes.