Orally administered artesunate modulates activity of cell body defense in plasma and brain of female wistar rats
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Date
2019-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IBRO Reports
Abstract
Artesunate is a potent and rapidly acting blood schizonticide
used in the treatment of acute severe malaria, especially cerebral
malaria. The present study evaluated the potential effects of vary-
ing doses of artesunate on some biochemical parameters in female
Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) female Wistar rats weighing 150 ± 10 g
were used and blindly randomized into three groups having five
(5) animals each. Control received distilled water (0.2 ml/kg day
1–5), LDA and HDA were treated with oral artesunate (2.90 mg/kg
day 1; 1.45 mg/kg day 2–5) and (8.70 mg/kg day 1; 4.35 mg/kg day
2–5) respectively. The results showed that artesunate significantly
reduced the plasma potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), phosphorus (P),
total protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), phos-
pholipids (PL) but raised hydrogen bicarbonate (HCO3
−) and nitric
oxide (NO) levels when compared with control. Furthermore, its
effect in the brain tissue indicated marked elevations of sodium
(Na+), Ca2+, HCO3
-, P, MDA, with a concomitant decreases in NO lev-
els when compared with control. The current findings suggest that
artesunate could cause imbalance in the electrolytes and miner-
als, and alterations in prooxidant/antioxidant levels in plasma and
brain tissue with ameliorative responses from cell body defense
mechanisms. Therefore, dietary supplements are recommended
along with therapeutic usage of artesunate.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Artesunate; Biochemical Parameters; Prooxidants; Antioxidant; Dietary Supplements.