Neurotoxic effects of 25 mg/kg/bodyweight of artemether on the histology of the trapezoid nuclei and behavioural functions in adult male Wistar rats

This study investigated the effects of the administration of 25 mg/kg/bodyweight of artemether for a period of 7 days on the trapezoid nuclei and behavioural functions in male Wistar rats. This was to establish the neurotoxic potential of artemether as an antimalarial drug. All rats showed normal morphological appearances at the completion of the experimental procedure. Statistical analyses showed no significant differences between the average brain weight of the control group and the experimental group. The assessment of brainstem nuclei showed patchychromatic appearance of neurons of the trapezoid nuclei in the experimental group as against the normal vesicular appearance of neurons of the trapezoid nuclei in the control group. The density of damaged trapezoid nuclei was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The rats in the control group displayed normal balance and coordination, white rats in the experimental group showed abnormalities in balance and coordination. This study observed that administration of 25 mg/kg/bodyweight of artemether for a period of 7 days had neurotoxic effects on the trapezoid nuclei of Wistar rats. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.