Abstract

With Artemisinin-based combination treatments (ACTs) reportedly the first line remedy for uncomplicated cases of falciparum malaria in several countries, over 40 malaria-endemic nations in sub-sahara Africa now adopts its use as such. This study examined the effect(s) of Antioxidant Vitamins co-administration with ACTs on haematological variables [Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Eosinophil Count (EC), Monocyte Counts (MC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Lymphocyte Count (LC)] of malaria-induced, immune-compromised mice. Seventy (n = 70) adult male (20g- 35g) albino mice (Swiss strain) were grouped into seven (7) of ten (10) rats per group. With Group 1 receiving standard diets (control), Group 2 was inoculated with Plasmodium. berghei and left untreated (Negative control group); whereas, Groups 3 - 6 respectively received (following inoculation with P. berghei); 150mg/kg body weight of Vitamin C, 150mg/kg body weight of Vitamin E, 56mg/kg body weight of Artemisinin, 56mg/kg body weight of Artemisinin + 150mg/kg of Vitamin C, and 56mg/kg body weight of Artemisinin + 150mg/kg of Vitamin E. Following treatment period (28 days), animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture, analysed and compared for changes in haematological variables. Upon comparison between groups Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) returned a statistically significant difference for MCV, MCH, MCHC and EC, MC, MCHC of Groups 2 and 3 mice respectively; even though group 4 showed a statistically insignificant difference in PCV, EC, MC, and MCHC upon comparison with control. Study also found mean values of PCV, LC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC to be statistically insignificant in ACT co-administration with anti-oxidant vitamins. We recommend vitamins C and E co-administration with ACTs to aid recovery in malaria sufferers.