ASSESSING THE HEPATOTOXIC EFFECTS OF PROLONGED ARTEMETHERLUMEFANTRINE USE: A HISTOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDY ON ADULT WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Background: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) is the current standard treatment

for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the histological and biochemical effects of

atemether/lumefantrine tablet on the liver of adult Wistar rats.

Methods: This study was conducted on 24 adults male Wistar rats which were randomly assigned

into a control group (group A), and three treatment groups (B, C and D) each containing six (6)

rats. Group A, received normal rat feed and water. Group B, and C received 0.8 mg/kg and 1.6

mg/kg body weight of the drug respectively three days in a week while group D, received 5 mg of

normal saline as a vehicle group. The experimental period was for 6 weeks and the body weight

of animals were taken weekly. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed under

chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples and liver organs were collected from the left ventricle for

Liver Function Test and histological processing respectively.

Results: The results of study recorded no significant change (P>0.05) in the body weight of

experimental groups compared to control. There was also no significant difference (P>0.05) in

AST and ALT levels in the treatment groups compared to control. Elevated ALP level was

observed in both groups that were administered with Amatem Forte but none showed significant

increase in ALP levels compared to control. Histological assessment on the Liver showed marked

dilatation of portal vein, thinness and rupture of the vasculature, periportal hemorrhage, sinusoidal

congestion and activation of Kupffer cells which were worse with the high dose treatment.

Conclusion: The results showed that high dose use of Amatem Forte could be toxic to the Liver,

hence its indiscriminate use should be discouraged, but with strict compliance to doctor’s

prescription.