Stimulatory Effects of Dihydroartemisinin on the Leucocyte Population of Wistar Albino Rats

Problem statement: Five dosages of Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) which included 1 mg kg^-1; a repeated dose of 1; 2; 60 and 80 mg kg^-1 were administered orally to albino rats for 5 days. The results of the study showed that dihydroartemisinin treatment significantly elevated the total white cell count (p<0.01); the percentage neutrophil count (p<0.01) and the percentage lymphocyte count (p<0.05). It also increased the percentage monocyte count though its increase was not statistically significant. Approach: By increasing the population of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes (which engage in chemo tactic response; microbial killing; microbial ingestion and antibody production) in the blood, dihydroartemisinin demonstrated that it stimulates increase in their population and uses them as part of its own arsenals of warfare against endoparasites (like malaria parasites) and pathogens. Results: The results of this study show that dihydroartemisinin stimulated a lot of new white blood cell production by haemopoetic sites of the body The increases in the total white blood cell count; the percentage neutrophils count and the percentage lymphocyte counts were significant at p<0.01 level of significance. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the phagocytic and immunological activities of the body’s white blood cell population are important components of the efficacious Plasmodium Schizonticidal actions of Dihydroartemisinin in malaria treatment.