Biological Activity
Proguanil is an antimalarial prodrug that is metabolized to the active metabolite cycloguanil, a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor.
In Vitro
Proguanil per se has only weak antimalarial activity in vitro (IC50=2.4-19 μM), and its effectiveness depends on the active metabolite cycloguanil (IC50=0.5-2.5 nM). The cycloguanil is a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor. The combination of atovaquone and proguanil is synergistic in vitro. Both drugs also have activity against gametocytes and pre-erythrocytic (hepatic) stages of malaria parasites[1]. Proguanil acts as a biguanide rather than as its metabolite cycloguanil (a parasite dihydrofolate reductase [DHFR] inhibitor) to enhance the atovaquone effect; proguanil-mediated enhancement is specific for atovaquone, since the effects of other mitochondrial electron transport inhibitors, such as myxothiazole and antimycin, are not altered by inclusion of proguanil[2]. 5-HT3 receptor responses are reversibly inhibited by proguanil, the metabolite 4-chlorophenyl-1-biguanide (CPB) and the active metabolite cycloguanil (CG), with an IC50 of 1.81, 1.48 and 4.36 μM, respectively[3].
In Vivo
Proguanil could induce infertility in rats which may act by distorting the blood-testis barrier formed by the Sertoli cells. Duration dependent significant decrease in body and organ weights and also in sperm parameters is observed. Serum testosterone level is significantly decreased for proguanil treatment rats[4]. Administration of Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil) to experimentally B. gibsoni infected two dogs in chronic stage and three dogs in acute stage results in decrease in parasitemia, and clinical improvements are observed[5].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.
