EFFECT OF CO-ADMINISTRATION OF ANTI-MALARIAL DRUGS, Phyllanthus amarus SEED EXTRACT AND VITAMINS ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SERUM GLUCOSE ASSAY IN MICE INFECTED WITH Plasmodium berghei

The present study evaluated the effect of co-administration of antimalarials or Phyllanthus amarus seed extractand vitamins on haematological parameters and serum glucose of malaria parasitized mice. Plasmodium berghei infested mice were assigned into groups. Chloroquine, artesunate as well as Phyllanthus amarus were administered singly and combined with vitamins A, B, C or E for five consecutive days. On the day six of the experiment, blood from the mice was subjected to full blood count and glucose assay. It was observed that some haematological parameters assayed (PCV, RBC and Hb) were markedly higher in malaria parasitized mice administered monotherapy of chloroquine (CQ), Phyllanthus amarus seed extract (EXT) and artesunate (ATE) matched with the parasitized untreated mice. It was found that administration of CQ and ATE combined with vitamin E caused an elevation in white blood cell count (WBC) while combined administration of EXT and vitamins A, B, C or E caused an increase in platelets in mice. It was also observed that the infected (untreated) mice presented significant decreased serum glucose level. Treatments with chloroquine (CQ) alone as well as in combination with vitamin A, B or E caused significant (P < 0.05) elevated serum glucose level compared to parasitized untreated control mice. Similarly, the study showed that the administration of artesunate® (ATE) alone and in combination with vitamin A, B or E elicited significant increased serum glucose level. It can be concluded that co-administration of vitamins with antimalarial may reduce assaults on haematological parameters and serum glucose thereby improve recovery and treatment outcome.