Evaluation of biochemical indices following administration of artemether, halofantrine and a combination of artemether and lumefantrine in guinea pigs

Article history: Combination of artemether and lumefantrine (artemether-lumefantrine) is an orally effective artemisinin-based combination therapy, used widely in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections. The present study investigates the comparative effects of artemether, halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine on biochemical indices in the male guinea pig. Half, normal and double therapeutic doses of the drugs were given to different groups of animals (n=5) by oral gavage. After the drug treatments, serum levels of biochemical parameters were measured using standard methods. Artemether significantly (p<0.05) reduced uric acid (UA) level (10.44%), but produced no significant effects on the other parameters measured. Halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine significantly increased acid phosphatase- ACPT (56.13 and 26.45%) and prostatic acid phosphatase-ACPP (100.00 and 78.95%) respectively, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was not affected. In addition, halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine significantly and dose-dependently decreased UA, while urea and creatinine levels were increased. UA was decreased by 12.15 and 17.92%; urea was increased by 84.42 and 53.25%; and creatinine was increased by 42.15 and 30.25%, respectively. Furthermore, both drugs had no significant effects on serum levels of total protein and cholesterol. The results show that halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine may cause toxicity to renal and reproductive functions in the male guinea pig, halofantrine likely to cause more of these effects.