Title:Induction of Haemolysis and DNA Fragmentation in a Normal and Malarial-Infected Blood by Commonly - used Antimalarial Drugs in the North-Western Region of Nigeria
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Author(s): Aliyu Muhammad, Mohammed Auwal Ibrahim, Ochuko Lucky Erukainure, Nathan Habila, Aimola Asegame Idowu, Uche Samuel Ndidi, Ibrahim Malami, Halliru Zailani, Zeenat Bello Kudan and Bilal Abdullahi Muhammad
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antimalarial drugs, DNA damage, haemoglobin, haemolysis, Nigeria.
Abstract: Background: Antimalarial drugs are medicines that are used to prevent or treat malaria
effectively at different stages in the life cycle of the malarial parasites. In spite of this, a good number
of these drugs have the potential to cause harm when they are misused or abused.
Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of commonly-used antimalarial drugs in
the North Western region of Nigeria on haemolysis and DNA fragmentation in the blood of normal
and malarial infected humans ex vivo.
Method: The drugs used were artemisinine, artesunate, chloroquine, coartem and quinine (0.5-8.0 mg/ml). Haemolysis,
haemoglobin status and DNA fragmentations were assayed for using standard procedures.
Results: It was observed that all the drugs induced a remarkable dose-dependent haemolysis with more pronounced effects
on apparently healthy humans. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the level of haemoglobin in normal blood
samples when compared with control samples. Contrariwise, in the malaria-infected blood, the haemoglobin level
significantly (P < 0.05) increased as compared with control. The drugs caused an exceptional significant (P < 0.05)
induction of DNA fragmentation when compared with control.
Conclusion: Commonly-used antimalarial drugs induced haemolysis and altered haemoglobin status which may
spontaneously increases the cellular iron levels; a substrate for Fenton and Haber Weiss reactions, and eventually induces
DNA fragmentation. Hence, adequate care should be taken during prescription with total avoidance for self medications
and/or drugs abuse as a result of their adverse effects within the red blood cells and its immediate microenvironment.
