Cross-cytotoxicity study of antimalarial drugs and traditional medicinal plants on Renal Cells

Objective: The association of Artemisinin based combination therapy with herbal medicine seems to be a factor favouring the occurrence of serious adverse effects, hepatitis disorders and acute renal failure in particular. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross- toxicity of these associations on renal cells. Methods: African green monkey kidney cells (VERO) were incubated with anti-malarial drugs and plant preparations. The products used were: Artesunate 100mg / amodiaquine 270mg (ASAQ) and artemether 80mg / lumefantrine 480mg (AL) , and Sida acuta and Enantia polycarpa at a concentration of 10 ?g / ml. After 5 days of incubation, a cell count was performed using a haemocytometer. Results: ASAQ resulted in significant cell destruction compared to the control between Day2 (p 30% in the tubes treated with ASAQ and Sida acuta . Finally, cell destruction was statistically significant in tubes treated with the combination of antimalarial drugs and traditional plants compared to the control tube from Day2 (p <0.001). Conclusion: The renal toxicity observed with ASAQ, Sida acuta and combination of antimalarial drugs and herbs, appears dose-dependent or cumulative. The mechanism of this renal toxicity should be better analysed in further studies.