The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery

New chemical entities are constantly being investigated towards antimalarial drug discovery, and they require animal models for toxicity and efficacy testing. Murine models show physiological similarities to humans and are therefore indispensable in the search for novel antimalarial drugs. They prov...

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Main Authors: Glory Adebayo, Opeyemi I. Ayanda, Matthias Rottmann, Olusola S. Ajibaye, Gbolahan Oduselu, Julius Mulindwa, Olayinka O. Ajani, Oluwagbemiga Aina, Pascal Mäser, Ezekiel Adebiyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/424
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author Glory Adebayo
Opeyemi I. Ayanda
Matthias Rottmann
Olusola S. Ajibaye
Gbolahan Oduselu
Julius Mulindwa
Olayinka O. Ajani
Oluwagbemiga Aina
Pascal Mäser
Ezekiel Adebiyi
author_facet Glory Adebayo
Opeyemi I. Ayanda
Matthias Rottmann
Olusola S. Ajibaye
Gbolahan Oduselu
Julius Mulindwa
Olayinka O. Ajani
Oluwagbemiga Aina
Pascal Mäser
Ezekiel Adebiyi
author_sort Glory Adebayo
collection DOAJ
description New chemical entities are constantly being investigated towards antimalarial drug discovery, and they require animal models for toxicity and efficacy testing. Murine models show physiological similarities to humans and are therefore indispensable in the search for novel antimalarial drugs. They provide a preclinical basis (following in vitro assessments of newly identified lead compounds) for further assessment in the drug development pipeline. Specific mouse strains, non-humanized and humanized, have successfully been infected with rodent <i>Plasmodium</i> species and the human <i>Plasmodium</i> species, respectively. Infected mice provide a platform for the assessment of treatment options being sought. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluations are necessary when determining the fate of potential antimalarials in addition to the efficacy assessment of these chemical entities. This review describes the role of murine models in the drug development pipeline. It also explains some in vivo pharmacokinetic, safety, and efficacy parameters necessary for making appropriate choices of lead compounds in antimalarial drug discovery. Despite the advantages of murine models in antimalarial drug discovery, certain limitations are also highlighted.
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spelling doaj-art-f6395633a2b64c278ab37fcdbebc9dec2025-08-20T03:43:29ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-03-0118342410.3390/ph18030424The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug DiscoveryGlory Adebayo0Opeyemi I. Ayanda1Matthias Rottmann2Olusola S. Ajibaye3Gbolahan Oduselu4Julius Mulindwa5Olayinka O. Ajani6Oluwagbemiga Aina7Pascal Mäser8Ezekiel Adebiyi9Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, NigeriaDepartment of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, NigeriaSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, SwitzerlandBiochemistry and Nutrition Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba PMB 2013, NigeriaCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, NigeriaDepartment of Biochemistry and Sports Science, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, UgandaCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, NigeriaBiochemistry and Nutrition Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba PMB 2013, NigeriaSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, SwitzerlandCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota PMB 1023, NigeriaNew chemical entities are constantly being investigated towards antimalarial drug discovery, and they require animal models for toxicity and efficacy testing. Murine models show physiological similarities to humans and are therefore indispensable in the search for novel antimalarial drugs. They provide a preclinical basis (following in vitro assessments of newly identified lead compounds) for further assessment in the drug development pipeline. Specific mouse strains, non-humanized and humanized, have successfully been infected with rodent <i>Plasmodium</i> species and the human <i>Plasmodium</i> species, respectively. Infected mice provide a platform for the assessment of treatment options being sought. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluations are necessary when determining the fate of potential antimalarials in addition to the efficacy assessment of these chemical entities. This review describes the role of murine models in the drug development pipeline. It also explains some in vivo pharmacokinetic, safety, and efficacy parameters necessary for making appropriate choices of lead compounds in antimalarial drug discovery. Despite the advantages of murine models in antimalarial drug discovery, certain limitations are also highlighted.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/424antimalariadrug discoveryefficacy assessmentsmurine modelspharmacokinetics
spellingShingle Glory Adebayo
Opeyemi I. Ayanda
Matthias Rottmann
Olusola S. Ajibaye
Gbolahan Oduselu
Julius Mulindwa
Olayinka O. Ajani
Oluwagbemiga Aina
Pascal Mäser
Ezekiel Adebiyi
The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
Pharmaceuticals
antimalaria
drug discovery
efficacy assessments
murine models
pharmacokinetics
title The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
title_full The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
title_fullStr The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
title_full_unstemmed The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
title_short The Importance of Murine Models in Determining In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Antimalarial Drug Discovery
title_sort importance of murine models in determining in vivo pharmacokinetics safety and efficacy in antimalarial drug discovery
topic antimalaria
drug discovery
efficacy assessments
murine models
pharmacokinetics
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/424
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