Effect of Oral Administration of Artesunate on the Histology of the Kidney in Albino Rat.

Abstract

Abstract:The effect of oral administration of Artesunate on the histology of the Kidney of Albino Rat was determined histologically. Thirty Albino rats weighing 80-175g were divided into five groups (A-E) of five rats each. Group A (control) was give equal volume of distilled water daily. Group B received 4mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 5 days and were sacrificed on the 6th day. Group C were given 4mg/kg of Artesunate for the 1 st day, then 3mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 8 days and sacrificed on the 10 th day. Group D received 4mg/kg/day of Artesunate for the 1 st day, then 3mg/kg/day of Artesunate for 12 days and sacrificed on the 14 th day. Group E served as recovery group which received equal treatment as group D above and were left for 10 days later on vital feed and water and were sacrificed on the 23 rd day. The route of administration was orally by the use of the orogastric tube. The kidneys were removed and transferred immediately into 10% formalin. There were no marked differences between the change in weight of the control and the experimental. Administration of Artesunate to rats produced moderate to severe glomerular degeneration, focal haemorrhage, oedema, congested blood vessels, cloudy swelling of the tubules, necrosis of the tubule both in cortex and medulla. These findings were observed to be dose dependent. Artesunate may have acted as toxin to the neurons, affecting their structural integrity. It is therefore recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating this findings be carried out

Haematological and Histopathological Effects of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy in Healthy Mice

“…As most drugs are excreted by the kidney, it is reasonable to assume that the kidney itself could be a privileged target of their toxic action [31]. Amaza et al [32] reported glomerulus degeneration and venous congestion after treatment with artesunate. It was hypothesized that the release of malaria antigens activates monocyte cells, to release proinflammatory cytokines and activate cellmediated response, causing renal problems [33].…”