Effects of sodium artesunate on electrical properties and Na+,K(+)-ATPase activities of mouse small intestine

Sodium artesunate (SA), a synthetic derivative of artemisinin first isolated in China, is a water soluble antimalaria used clinically in China. The jejunum of mouse was mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed in NaCl Ringer. There was a potential difference (PD) across the intestinal wall with the serosa being positive. Addition of SA to the mucosal side of the D-glucose (5.5 mmol/L) NaCl Ringer bathing solution, caused a significant decrease in both PD and short circuit current (I(sc)). However, SA had little effect when added to the glucose free Ringer bathing solution. SA 0.1-1.0 mmol/L caused a decrease in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activities in vitro. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect on the electrical properties of mouse jejunum is associated with the inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activities.