The Effect of Arthrospira platensis (Phormidiaceae) on the Acute Toxicity of Artemeter Lumefantrine in Malaria Patients

Malaria has remained one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in most developing countries. This pathology is caused by the Plasmodium spp. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria recommends the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Arthrospira platensis is a microscopic filamentous alga that is rich in proteins, vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals and essential fatty acids like -linolenic acid (GLA). The current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Arthrospira platensis on the liver and kidney toxicity induced by ACT. Malaria patients were randomized into two groups to receive therapeutic dose of either artemether-lumefantrine 20/120 mg (group 1) or artemether-lumefantrine 20/120 mg + Arthrospira platensis 8 g daily (group 2) as an adjunct therapy and follow-up for 7 days (D). After treatment, the activity levels/concentrations of liver and kidney biochemical markers (ALT, AST, ALB, UREA, CREAT) were analyzed. Both pre- and post-treatment samples were analyzed, and the results gotten compared with control group made up of malaria negative patients. Serum activity of selected biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALB, UREA) of malaria patients were statistically significant (P<0.05) on D0 when compared to that of malaria negative patients. The serum activity of CREAT though not statistically significant (P>0.05), increased compared to malaria negative patients. The serum level of ALT, AST, UREA and CREAT increased from D0 to D3 and decreased on D7 after treatment while ALB decreased from D0 to D3 and increased on D7 in both groups when compared with the negative control group. The concentration of these biochemical markers varied across the groups from D0 to D7. The results obtained from this study indicate that Arthrospira platensis has a positive effect on the liver and kidney toxicity induced by ACT and hence could be administered together with ACT in malaria treatment.