ABSTRACT

Several studies have reported the hepatoxicity effect of artesunate-based combinations. Such studies suggest that artesunate exact toxic effect on the liver and kidney. The present study is aimed at evaluating the effect of artesunate alone on biochemical parameters. We hypothesized that if artesunate treatment altered the biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney, it could have toxic effects on the body and its use as first-line treatment of malaria should be reviewed. The study was performed using blood samples obtained from 50 different individuals. The individuals were grouped into 2, group A (control group) consisted of blood samples from 15 healthy individuals while group B (artesunate group) consist of 35 patients receiving artesunate as antimalarial drug. The patients in group B where grouped according to their sex, aged between (20-40), and duration of treatment (3-6 months). Concentrations of serum urea, serum creatinine, serum bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase was measured. The results obtained showed that urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels of the treatment group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to those ofthe normal group although no significant difference was observed in the bilirubin and alanine transaminase levels between the normal and treatment groups (p>0.05). These results seems to support the claims that the use of artesunate as anti-malaria drug may have some toxic effect on the kidney and a minimal toxic effect on the liver. This knowledge may be useful in the choice of anti-malaria drug to be used as first-line treatment for malaria.