Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Effect of artemether on pentobarbitone sleep and electrical activity in rats

Janet I Ejiofor1, Helen O Kwanashie, Joseph A Anuka

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1045, Zaria, 810271, Kaduna State, Nigeria. akanwajane@yahoo.com

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|September 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Artemether (AM), an antimalarial drug, showed dose-dependent neurotoxic effects in rats. Higher AM doses prolonged sleep and altered brain electrical activity, indicating potential risks with increased usage.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropharmacology
  • Malariology

Background:

  • Artemether (AM) is a key antimalarial drug, effective against resistant strains.
  • Concerns exist regarding AM's neurotoxicity after high-dose or prolonged use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Artemether on pentobarbitone-induced sleep and electrophysiological activity in rats.
  • To evaluate dose-dependent neurotoxicity of AM.

Main Methods:

  • Wistar rats were administered varying doses of AM (1.5, 7.5, 15 mg/kg) or vehicle.
  • Effects on pentobarbitone sleep onset and duration were assessed.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) recordings evaluated brain electrical activity.

Main Results:

  • Single AM doses did not significantly alter pentobarbitone sleep.
  • 7-day AM pretreatment dose-dependently prolonged pentobarbitone sleep.
  • High-dose AM (15 mg/kg) showed CNS inhibitory effects; lower doses (1.5 mg/kg) reduced cortical activity, while higher doses caused desynchronization in specific brain regions.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic doses of AM (1.5 mg/kg) had minimal impact on sleep but reduced electrical activity.
  • Higher AM doses exhibit more significant neurotoxic effects, impacting both sleep and brain electrical patterns.

More Related Videos

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

Computer-based Multitaper Spectrogram Program for Electroencephalographic Data04:13

Computer-based Multitaper Spectrogram Program for Electroencephalographic Data

Published on: November 13, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...