Biochemical Toxicity of Ivermectin in Wistar Albino Rats

Ivermectin, a macrocyclic lactone, is commonly used against parasitic diseases in both animals and human beings. Although, its anti-parasitic activity is well known, there is dearth of literature on its effect on the host. The present study on biochemical effects of ivermectin in Wistar albino rats was undertaken to evaluate if it is toxic to the host ?. This investigation evaluated the effect of ivermectin on the plasma concentrations of AST, ALT, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDH and the hepatic levels of nucleic acids, proteins, malondialdehde (MDA) and non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) in Wistar albino rats. The animals were intraperitoneally (ip) treated with different doses (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg., body weight) of ivermectin as a single dose and sacrificed after 24 hrs. The treatment induced significant biochemical changes in both plasma and the hepatic cells. The observed toxicity may be due to the disruption of chlorides and calcium in the cellular equilibrium, stimulation of catecholamines, GABA receptors and the genesis of cAMP caused by the oxidant nature of certain neurotransmitter metabolites triggered by ivermectin. The present investigation suggests that ivermectin-induced biochemical changes in the host animal may be few of the probable mechanisms of its antiparasitic activity.