This study was designed to investigate effect of artesunate on blood parameters in female rats. Ten female Wistar rats (130 – 150 g) were grouped into control and artesunate (1.43 mg/kg) – treated groups for blood assay. The artesunate was administered orally for 50 days. Hematological assay was carried out using hemocytometer, while biochemical assay was carried out using spectrophotometry. Mean +/- SEM and student’s t-test at p<0.05 were determined. Artesunate (1.43 mg/kg) significantly reduced RBC, platelet and lymphocyte counts when compared to their controls. It also significantly decreased total protein, ALT and ALP values relative to their controls. However, it induced no significant changes in the PCV, Hb, TWBC, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, MCV, MCHC, MCH, albumin, globulin, AST, BUN and creatinine values relative to their controls. Conclusively, it can be suggested that artesunate had both harmful and advantageous effects on blood parameters in female rats.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Several studies have reported the toxic, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal effect of this drug, but there is scanty information on its effect on blood chemistry and reproduction in albino rats. This study was designed to investigate the effect of this drug on haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats. Paracetamol (7.5 mg/kg BW) was administered to the rats for 42 days (six weeks) for haematological and andrological study. Distilled water (0.5 ml) served as control. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and Total White Blood Cell (TWBC) counts were determined using haemocytometer. PCV was determined by micro-haematocrit method. Semen analyses were done microscopically. Data were analysed using student's t-test at p<0.05. Treatment of rats with paracetamol caused decrease in PCV and RBC counts relative to the controls. Treatment of rats with paracetamol also caused significant decrease in sperm motility and sperm count, but did not produce any pathological lesions on the testes. These findings indicate that paracetamol caused deleterious effect on the blood chemistry and reproductive parameters in male albino rats.

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This study was designed to investigate the effect of artesunate on reproductive function in female Wistar rats. Fifteen female rats (120 – 160 g) were used for the estrous cycle and histopathological studies. Artesunate (1.43 mg/kg) was administered orally on daily basis for 21 and 50 days respectively for the estrous cycle and histological studies. Estrous cycle was carried out using the technique of Marcondes et al., histologies of the ovaries and uteri were also carried out. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and student’s t-test at p=0.05. Treatment of rats for 21 days with artesunate (1.43 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) increments in the estrous and metestrous phases as well as a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the proestrous phase of the estrous cycle relative to their respective controls. The histopathological study presented with ovarian medullar that is severely congested (hemorrhagic) including expanded lumen of the endometrial glands. It can therefore be concluded that artesunate probably has pro-fertility effect with deleterious effect on the ovaries at histological level in female Wistar rats.

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