Antimalarial activity of cyclosporin A.

Cyclosporin A has been shown to possess antimalarial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK 65 or Plasmodium chabaudi. Significant antimalarial effects were obtained with five daily oral doses of 25 mg/kg. Cyclosporin A treatment started concurrently with the inoculation of parasites was less effective than treatment started when parasitaemia was already established. Evidence so far suggests that the antimalarial action results from a direct toxic effect on the parasite. Combined treatment with Cyclosporin A and Pyrimethamine indicated that the two compounds may act synergistically.