Foetal hepatorenal toxicity and intrauterine growth retardation in pregnant Wistar rats treated with artemether

Abstract

Objectives: Foetal hepatorenal toxicity and foetal morphology were evaluated following artemether administration to pregnantWistar albino rats.Methods: Twenty pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 180–200 g were divided into four groups (n=5, each) with Group 1serving as the control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 1.1 mg, 2.2 mg and 3.3 mg per kilogram body weight artemether, respectivelyorally, twice daily for three days on day 7, 8 and 9 of pregnancy. The animals were sacrificed on day 20 of pregnancy and foetuseswere harvested and evaluated for morphological changes. Foetal body weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were measured;alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was assayed using amniotic fluid, and foetal kidney and liver were evaluated histologically for toxicity.Results: There was a significant decrease in body weight, CRL and AFP of the treated groups compared to the control. The foetalliver of the treated groups revealed distorted cytoarchitecture, marked hepatocyte inflammation and hepatic necrosis. The foetalkidney of artemether-treated groups also showed disorganised renal structure, atrophic and degenerated glomeruli with acutetubular necrosis.Conclusion: Artemether administration to pregnant albino rats causes intrauterine growth retardation or stunted growth,as well as foetal hepatorenal toxicity.