Impact of generic antimalarial or Phyllanthus amarus and vitamin co-administration on antioxidant status of experimental mice infested with Plasmodium berghei

Oxidative stress is a key factor in malaria pathogenesis, particularly, malaria induced anaemia and pathological changes in some organs in the body. This research aimed at investigating the effect of Phyllanthus amarus seed extract (PASE), chloroquine (CLQ), and artesunate (ATS) used alone and co-administered with vitamin A, B, C, or E on oxidative stress in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. A total of eighty (80) adult albino male mice infected with P. berghei (NK 65 strain) were randomly allotted to 16 treatment groups, mice in another group (17th group) were uninfected; n = 5. Of the treatment groups, fifteen were administered sole generic antimalarials/PASE and combined vitamins A, B, C or E orally for 5 days. Biochemical assay for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were carried out on the serum. Assay for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CA), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were carried out on homogenised liver and brain. Treatment with PASE, CLQ and ATS combined with vitamin A, B, or E respectively, demonstrated significant increase in the serum levels of GPx and GR concentration. Treatment with PASE/ATS alone and in combination with vitamin A, B, C, and E significantly increased the liver GPX, SOD, and CA levels with significant decrease in liver MDA levels. Treatment with PASE/CLQ alone and in combination with vitamin A, B, C, and E significantly increased the brain GPX, GR and SOD levels with significant decrease in brain MDA levels. PASE showed enhanced antioxidant capacity in plasmodiasis solely or combined with vitamins A, B and E. Furthermore the co-administration of generic agent like artesunate with vitamins A, B, and E enhanced the antimalarial activity and treatment outcome as shown by the antioxidant effects. However, co-administration with vitamin C may be counter-productive.