ABSTRACT

Background: Malaria has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most Sub-Saharan Africa. Mice are considered a comparable genetic model to humans and it is well established that mice also exhibit differences in susceptibility to malaria infection. This study evaluates effects of parenteral antimalarial drugs on the spleen and liver of Swiss albino mice after chronic exposure to Plasmodium berghei infection.

Aim: To assess the effects of parenteral antimalarial drugs on the liver and spleen weight index of Swiss albino mice after chronic exposure to Plasmodium berghei, as well as their effects of total protein and albumin levels of said organs.

Methodology: Mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain. Parasitaemia was checked using Geimsa stain and viewed for infected blood cells. After chronic exposure to the parasite, they were treated for 3 days using Chloroquine (5mg/kg), Quinine (10mg/kg) and Artemether (2mg/kg). The effect of parasitaemia and the various antimalarial drugs on their weights was monitored. The effect on organ weight index (relative organ-body weight) was evaluated for liver and spleen.

Results: There was significant increase P<0.05 in liver weight of parasitized group compared to control group and a significant decrease in liver weight, P<0.05 for quinine group and P<0.05 for artemether group, when compared to parasitized group. The spleen weight and spleen weight index showed significant increase in all infected groups compared to control group. However, artemether showed least significant increase, it was followed by chloroquine and then quinine. There was a significant difference P<0.05 in total protein of the liver in artemether group compared to the control group. But no significant difference in albumin levels among groups. The total protein in spleen of quinine group showed a significant difference, P<0.05 compared to control group. But no significant difference in albumin concentration among groups. Five mice died after chronic exposure and none died after treatment with drugs.

Conclusion: This study showed that Artemether has a betterpotential for liver and spleen recovery than parenteral Quinine and Chloroquine after chronic exposure to Plasmodium berghei. These parenteral drugs had effect on serum proteins.