Orally administered artesunate modulates activity of cell body defense in plasma and brain of female wistar rats

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.