Artemisinin and l‐carnitine combination therapy alters the erythrocytes redox status

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is a sensitive target of artemisinin (ART) and its derivatives, and hemolysis is one of their commonly reported side effects. L-carnitine (LC), an amino acid derivative involved in lipid metabolism, is beneficial for hematological parameters. Sixty adult laboratory mice were randomly divided into six groups.Group I (control) received saline and corn oil; groups II and III received therapeutic (50 mg/kg) and toxic (250 mg/kg) doses of ART, respectively; groups IV and V received 370 mg/kg LC along with the 50 and 250 mg/kg ART, respectively; and group VI received 370 mg/kg LC. Drugs were administered orally for 7 consecutive days. The erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) activity, and the reduced glutathione (GSH) level were assessed by colorimetric methods. ART reduced the G6PD activity both at therapeutic and toxic doses. The therapeutic dose of ART reduced the CAT activity and the GSH level, nonsignificantly. The toxic dose of ART reduced the CAT activity and increased the POX activity. LC reduced the G6PD, CAT, and POX activities and increased GSH level. The therapeutic dose of ART and LC showed synergy in reducing the G6PD activity. LC and ART combination reduced POX activity and increased GSH level without any significant effect on the CAT activity. Inhibition of G6PD may be a potentially new mechanism of ART action. Coadministration of LC with ART or following treatment with ART may have protective effects on erythrocytes.

In silico molecular docking and dynamic simulation of antimalarial compounds from Barleria buxifolia root against type III phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase β: Metabolite Profile Analysis Using LC-MS/HRMS

“…In severe cases, immediate medical intervention is required to stabilize the patient and prevent further complications [10]. Artemisinins have toxic effects on erythropoiesis in both animal and human studies [11]. A report showed that 70-80% of rural communities rely on medicinal plants for primary treatment and traditional and contemporary medicine, with impoverished individuals in developing nations relying on these plants because of their unique nutritional pro le [12].…”