Hepatoprotective effect of Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum on Wistar rats exposed to long-term administration of artemisinin-based combination therapies

In this study the protective effect of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on rats exposed to long term oral administration of artesunate-amodiaquine and arthemeter-lumefantrine were investigated. Forty-two albino rats were divided into seven groups. They were given the drugs, artesunate amodiaquine (AA) and artemether lumefantrine (AL) base on their body weight. Group 1: Control, received distilled water, group 2, received of 2.86 mg/7.7 mg AA, group 3, received of 1.14 mg/6.86 mg AL, group 4 received of 2.86 mg/7.7 mg AA + 200 mg VA, group 5 received of 1.14 mg/6.86 mg AL + 200 mg VA, group 6 received of 2.86 mg/7.7 mg AA + 200 mg OG and group 7 received of 1.14 mg/6.86 mg AL + 200 mg OG. The animals were sacrificed and blood samples obtained through cardiac puncture for biochemical investigations. Biochemical assay for total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) were done. Co-administration of artesunate-amodiaquine and arthemeter-lumefantrine significantly decreased (P< 0.05) total protein and albumin while there was significant increase (P< 0.05) in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP and γ-GT when compared with control group. The administration of VA and OG significantly increased the total protein and albumin and significantly decreased (P< 0.05) total bilirubin and liver enzymes when compared with control group. The results indicate hepatic injury in the rats exposed to long term administration of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) which was reversed by the administration of VA and OG. There is need for caution while taking ACTs as malaria chemotherapy.