Effects of artemether on the pharmacokinetic parameters of quinine in wistar rats.

Abstract

The effect of artemether on the pharmacokinetic parameters of Quinine(QN) was carried out in this study. The parameters were investigated using adult Wistar rats. The rats were divided into three groups; A, B and C. Group A served as the control which was administered intramuscularly (i.m) 0.9w/v normal saline while group B was administered QN and artemether (i.m) at a dose of 5.14mg/kgbody weight(b..w). and (0.5mg/kgb.w respectively while Group C was administered QN alone (i.m) at a dose of 5.14mg/kgb.w .Blood samples were collected from each group of animals at 30 min. interval for 8 hr after the injection. The investigation was based on a one-compartment model with first order absorption. Using HPLC method with a limit of detection of 0.5?g/mL, the plasma concentration of quinine was monitored and quantified. The area under the blood concentration –time curve (AUC?) of QN was not significantly different (P ? 0.05) when compared QN alone with QN in the presence of artemether being 124 ?g/mlhr and 136 ?g/mlhr for groups B and C, respectively. The half life (t1/2) and Tmax of QN in the groups B and C were the same being 8hr and 2hr respectively for both while Cmax showed a significant difference (P?0.05) being 54.63?g/ml and 90.55?g/ml in the presence and absence of QN, respectively. This work justifies the fact that these drugs can be concomitantly administered since pharmacokinetic parameters like Tmax and the (AUC?) of quinine were not significantly affected by artemether.