Abstract

EFFECT OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS ON THE PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS AND EFFICACY OF DIHYDROARTEMISININ AND AMODIAQUINE COMBINATION THERAPY

Aniekan S. Ebong*, Olorunfemi A. Eseyin, Emmanuel I. Etim, Victor U. Anah, Aniefiok S. Udobre, Ekarika C. Johnson and Goodnews E. Charles

ABSTRACT

Vegetables are rich sources of bioactive compounds which often than not are capable of altering the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Telfairia occidentalis on the pharmacokinetic parameters and efficacy of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and amodiaquine (AQ) combination therapy. Rats were used in the study and blood samples were obtained through cardiac puncture at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours and 12 hours post administration, respectively. The serum was separated by centrifugation at 2,000 rpm for 15 minutes. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate drugs from serum and simulated intestinal fluid was used to reconstitute extracted drugs and at the same time derivatised DHA for UV analysis. The result revealed that T. occidentalis extract (Ext) altered all the pharmacokinetic parameters of both DHA and AQ. The t½ of DHA was extended between 1.70 % and 40.34 % while the t½ of AQ was altered between 1.09 % and 25.61%. It was also observed that the extract increased the Cmax in all treatment groups except in the group administered with AQ + DHA + Ext 250mg/kg in which the Cmax was reduced. The two-way ANOVA revealed a very significant (p < 0.05) difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters among the test groups with respect to the groups administered with only DHA and AQ. The effect of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaf increased the total exposure and efficacy of AQ and DHA.

Keywords: Pharmacokinetic, Telfairia occidentalis, amodiaquine, dihydroartemisinin.