Concurrent Short Term Administration of Artesunate and Methanol Extract of Ficus Platyphylla Has No HepatoRenal Consequences in Rats

Abstract

Many believe that the use of orthodox drugs alongside herbal medications brings about enhanced efficacy. Thus, it is not uncommon to see these combinations in malaria treatment. However, this combination may lead to toxicity through drug-herb interaction. The liver and kidneys being important organs in metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics are potential target organs for the suspected adverse effects. This study hypothesized that the co-administration of artesunate and methanol stem bark extract of Ficus platyphylla may result in hepato-renal consequences. Twenty male wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group one served as the normal control group and was treated with normal saline at a dose of 1 ml/kg. Rats in group two were treated with 300 mg/kg of Ficus platyphylla alone while rats in group three were treated with 2.9 mg/kg of artesunate alone. Furthermore, rats in group four were treated with Ficus platyphylla and artesunate at a dose of 300 mg/kg and 2.9 mg/kg respectively. All treatments were done orally for five continuous days within which body weight was determined. At the end of the treatment period, liver markers levels (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and kidney markers (urea, creatinine, uric acid, albumin and total protein) were determined. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in body weights, hepatic and renal biomarkers across all treated groups when compared to the control. These results may indicate the safety of this drug-herb combination when used in malaria therapy.