Effects of co-administration of artesunate and amodiaquine on some cardiovascular disease indices in rats

The effects of co-administration of artesunate and amodiaquine on some cardiovascular disease indices were investigated in albino rats (Rattus novergicus). The experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups: those administered distilled water (control), those administered artesunate (2 mg/kg body weight), those administered amodiaquine (6.12 mg/kg body weight) and those co-administered artesunate (2 mg/kg body weight) and amodiaquine (6.12 mg/kg body weight). The drugs were orally administered twice daily for three days after which the serum lipid profile, heart MDA content and heart ALP and ACP activities were determined. Artesunate significantly reduced (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the serum with no significant effects (P > 0.05) on other parameters compared to controls. Amodiaquine, on the other hand, significantly reduced (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol concentration while it significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum LDL-cholesterol and heart ACP activity compared to controls. Co-administration of artesunate and amodiaquine significantly reduced (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the serum while significantly increasing (P < 0.05) serum LDL-cholesterol concentration, atherogenic index (LDL-C/HDL-C) and ACP activity in the heart compared to controls. The results obtained suggest that co-administration of artesunate and amodiaquine to patients with coronary heart disease should be with caution.