Histological studies of the effects of halofantrine hydrochloride (Halfan) on the histology of the uterine tube of mature female wistar rats

Abstract

Halofantrine hydrochloride, a phenanthrene-methanol drug used in the treatment of malaria was administered orally to matured female wistar rats. Twenty four female wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200g were randomly divided into six groups of four. The control groups were coded A3 and B3, and received equal volumes of normal saline on the corresponding days. The treated groups were coded A1, A2, B1, and B2 and received doses of 1mg/100g and 2mg/100g of the suspension of the drug at six hourly intervals for three consecutive doses. The administration was done orally using an orogastric tube. The animals were sacrificed on the fifth and tenth days by cervical dislocation after drug administration. Following laparotomy, the oviducts were collected, blotted dry and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological processing and staining procedures. Histological examination revealed alteration in the oviduct. There were distortions in the lining epithelium with the cells of the lining epithelium showing indistinct cell outlines. This study highlights the possible anomalies that could result when exposed to overdose of this drug.



Key words: Halofantrine hydrochloride, oviduct, female, wistar rat


[Jnl Medicine & Biomedical Res. Vol.1(1) 2002: 27-31]