Histomorphological Effects of Artesunate on the Developing Hypothalamus of Wistar Rat Foetuses

Artesunate is one of the first choice treatments among pregnant women with malaria in Nigeria as they are more susceptible and likely to develop anaemia and other complications. The present study was aimed to investigate the morphological and histological changes due to artesunate on the developing hypothalamus of Wistar rat fetuses. Twenty healthy female Albino Wistar rats of average weight of 165 g were grouped into 4 groups with 5 rats in each Group. The rats were fed daily and water was provided ad libitum. The animals were cycled and mated overnight with sexually matured males. The rats were separated into different cages after confirmation of pregnancy. Oral doses of 0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg body weight of artesunate were administered to the pregnant rats in Groups 2, 3 and 4 respectively from the 8th day to the 12th day of pregnancy. Rats in Group 1 were used as the Control, and received distilled water on the same days as the experimental Groups. The result showed that litter sizes were reduced and the number of malformed litters of Dams in the treatment Groups were increased when compared to the Control Group while the litters in the treatment Group 4 showed some malformations and resorption of the litters. The results of histological examinations revealed distortion and fusion of the hypothalamic sulcus, narrowing of the hypothalamic region, distortion of the hypothalamic nuclei when compared to the Control Group. The distortion of the hypothalamic nuclei and the reduction of the hypothalamic area could be due to the reduction in sizes of the hypothalamic nuclei thereby leading to compromised functions of the affected nuclei. The results showed that artesunate when administered at high dosage could be dangerous to the ontogenetic development of the hypothalamus in the fetuses.