Abstract

The effects of combining artesunate-amodiaquine (ACT) and ciprofloxacin (quinolone) on some biochemical and histological indices of renal status of adult mice infected with Plasmodium were investigated. This triple regimen is a very common management modality for febrile illness, suspected malaria and malaria-typhoid co-infection in Nigeria. Adult mice were passaged with Plasmodium berghei berghei and observed till parasitemia was achieved. Calculated amount of the drugs were orally administered to both the parasitized mice and the control, based on the standard dosages of 4mg/kg body weight of Artesunate, 10mg/kg body weight of amodiaquine and 9mg/Kg body weight of ciprofloxacin. The drugs were administered for 3 and 5 days for ACT and ciprofloxacin respectively. The results obtained showed a general derangement in serum electrolytes of the group exposed to Plasmodium berghei berghei compared to the normal control. Animals treated with combination of ACT (artesunate- amodiaquine) and ciprofloxacin had chloride, bicarbonate and sodium levels nearer to the normal control group than the groups treated with either ACT or ciprofloxacin only. Treatment of P. berghei berghei infected mice with a combination of ACT and ciprofloxacin yielded a higher serum albumin and total protein levels. The results showed that combining ciprofloxacin with artesunate-amodiaquine had significant restorative effects on the plasmodium-induced renal function derangements in mice.