Protective Effect of Artemisinin on the Placenta of L-NAME Induced rat model of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy induced hypertensive disorder and an important cause of maternal and fetal
morbidity and mortality. It affects about 3 - 8% of all pregnancies worldwide. Placental factors that arise from
placental hypoxia/ischemia set off molecular and cellular cascades, resulting in vascular endothelial dysfunction.
The aim of study was to clarify the possible protective effect of Artemisinin (ART) on the placenta of L-NAME
induced rat model of PE and to explore possible involved mechanisms. Thirty pregnant female Sparge Dawley rats
were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats/each): The control group, PE-group, and ART treated group. L-Nitro
arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 75 mg/kg body weight/day) was injected subcutaneous from day 10 to day 19 of
gestation to induce hypertension during pregnancy. The mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and 24-hour protein
in urine were determined before scarification. Rats were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation, Placental tissues
homogenate was prepared for evaluation of oxidative stress markers. Additionally, Slices from placenta were
studied by light and electron microscopes. The MABP, 24-hour protein in urine and oxidative stress markers in the
PE-group were significantly higher when compared to control group. ART treated group had a non-significant
decrease in MABP although had a significant decrease in proteinuria and oxidative markers when compared to PEgroup.
The histopathological examination of ART group showed partial improvement in both light and electron
microscopic findings as regard placental vascular changes and cellular parameters when compared to PE group.
The present study concluded that ART exerted protective effect in preeclampsia model through oxidative stress
correction and reduction of proteinuria along with improvement of placental vascular and cellular changes in both
light and electron microscopies.