Prevention of red cell lysis in artesunate-treated rats: A role for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

The effects of artesunate were investigated on red blood cell count and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in male rats. Twelve (12) male rats were divided into two groups of six (6) rats each. Group 1 rats were control rats which received normal saline while group 2 rats were treated with artesunate orally for five (5) days. 2.90 mg/kg of artesunate was given on the first day of treatment and 1.45 mg/kg was given on the subsequent four days. The results showed that artesunate induced a 25- fold increase (p<0.001) in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity while there was no significant reduction in the red blood cell count. The results suggest a role for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the prevention of lysis of the red blood cells that may result from treatment with artesunate.