Author(s)

Jescica Bonarck Sohou, Casimir Jiras Kpego Ligan, Salomon Ezechiel Mahougnon Fiogbe, Thierry Comlan Marc Medehouenou, Fifame Esperance Elvire Kougnimon, Casimir Dewanou Akpovi^*

Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Non Transmissibles et le Cancer (UR-MNTC), Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.

Individuals with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are susceptible to hemolytic anemia when exposed to pro-oxidant substances. This study investigates the hemolytic impact of Artemisia annua (A. annua) extracts in G6PD-deficient subjects through a mixed experimental approach. In the in vitro phase, red blood cells from G6PD-deficient individuals and rats induced with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were exposed to various concentrations of A. annua infusion, with distilled water and physiological saline as positive and negative controls respectively. The in vivo study involved G6PD-deficient Wistar rats divided into three groups receiving A. annua infusion, quinine (positive control), and distilled water (negative control) via gavage. Blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological analyses. Notably, at a 40% concentration of A. annua infusion, there was a significant increase in the hemolysis rate of G6PD-deficient red blood cells compared to controls (p < 0.001). Rats receiving A. annua exhibited elevated aspartate aminotransferase (129.25 ± 4.55 U/L vs. 80.09 ± 4.03 U/L; p < 0.001) and total bilirubin levels (3.50 ± 1.73 U/L vs. 0.86 ± 0.24 U/L; p < 0.001), decreased hemoglobin levels (10.45 ± 1.01 g/dL vs. 13.25 ± 0.20 g/dL; p < 0.05), and the presence of Heinz bodies in blood smears contrary to controls. Additionally, the A. annua infusion tested positive for saponins. These findings underscore the risk of hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals upon ingesting A. annua.

Artemisia annua, Infusion, Saponins, G6PD Deficiency, Hemolysis

Sohou, J. , Ligan, C. , Fiogbe, S. , Medehouenou, T. , Kougnimon, F. and Akpovi, C. (2024) Effect of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae) Extracts on Hemolysis in Individuals with G6PD-Deficiency. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 12, 303-315. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2024.123025.