Behavioural patterns of rats in an open field following treatment with Artesunate plus Amodiaquine combination

Artesunate (AS) plus amodiaquine (AQ) combination is a potent artemisinin-base antimalrial drug is commercially available with different trade names. Several adverse effects including neurotoxic complaints have been ascribed to this combination. This study was to determine the behavioral pattern of rats treated with this drug in an open field. Forty matured male Wistar rats weighing 150-180g were equally grouped into four. Group A was the control and the animals received tap water placebo, while groups B, C and D were the experimental. Groups B and C were treated respectively with 2.86mg/kg plus 8.75mg/kg (therapeutic dose, TD), and 5.71mg/kg plus 17.50mg/kg (high pharmacologic dose, HPD) of AS plus AQ combination per day for 3 days, while group D was treated with 2.86mg/kg plus 8.75`mg/kg (long duration therapeutic dose, LDTD) of AS plus AQ combination per day for 6 days. The open field test was carried out 12 hours after their last treatments. No significant difference existed between the experimental groups and the control in total locomotor activity, central square frequencies and duration, and stretch attend. There was no urination in all the groups, while the HPD group had a significant higher defecation than the control and the TD and LDTD groups. This study revealed no significant change in behavior of the rats after treatment with this drug, indicating that this drug may not have altered locomotion, and may neither be anxiolytic nor anxiogenic at these doses and time.