Volume 19, Issue 44, July - December, 2025

Cancer Markers Induction Potential and Adverse Effects of Anti-COVID- 19 Drugs in Rattus norvegicus

Sylvester Aghahowa^1♦, Michael Aghahowa², Frank Amegor³, Humphrey Osadolor³, Anthonia Ebosele¹, Michael Asogun¹, Paul Ehikhuemen¹, Josephine Uwadione³, Joy Ikhimioya³, Michael Ogabo³, Charles Oluwabusuyi³, Blessing Unukpo³, Daniel Ese³, Sydney Onwudiwe³, Franklyn Agu³, Bello Onome³, Jessica Andy-Omezi³, Favor Eshiobugie³, Justine Ojonugwa³, Osahon Enadeghe³, Philip Obarisiagbon1, Osagie Eremwanarue⁴, Paul Aikorogie⁵

¹Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
²Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja Nigeria
³Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
⁴Lahor Research Laboratory, Lahor Medical Centre, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City Nigeria
⁵Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Aghahowa S.E, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

In recent times, COVID-19 infection co-existing with cancer had generated worrisome situation globally. This study assessed effects of COVID-19 combination drugs on prostate, ovarian, breast and liver cancer biomarkers in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Healthy rats were selected, and grouped as: Group 7 (chloroquine 10mg/kg, ivermectin 200mg/kg, zinc 2.5mg/kg, azithromycin 5mg/kg, lopinavir/ritonavir 4/1mg/kg, selenium 3.33mg/kg), Group 8 (hydroxychloroquine 6.5mg/kg, ivermectin 200mg/kg, lopinavir/ritonavir 4/1mg/kg, azithromycin 5mg/kg, zinc 2.5mg/kg, selenium 3.33mg/kg), Group 9 (ivermectin 200mg/kg, lopinavir/ritonavir 4/1mg/kg, azithromycin 5mg/kg, zinc 2.5mg/kg, selenium 3.33mg/kg). These combinations were administered orally for twenty-eight days. Blood samples were collected and assayed for common toxicity and cancer biomarkers after euthanization using chloroform. The combined drugs significantly altered body weight, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, conjugated bilirubin, total protein, albumin, high-density lipoprotein, white blood cells, lymphocytes %, granulocytes %, lymphocytes ×103μl, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, red cell distribution weight, platelets, platelet concentration transmittance (P<0.05). Cancer Antigen -125 (P* Vs 7, 8, 9) decreased significantly, while Alpha-Fetoprotein (P* Vs CON), Prostate Specific Antigen (P* Vs CON, 8), and Cancer Antigen 15-3 (P* Vs 7, 8, 9) increased significantly. These annotated results had shown alterations in some common toxicity and cancer biomarkers, therefore there is need for caution in the selection of drugs for COVID-19 infection treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19 infection, Drugs, Toxicities, Cancer markers

Drug Discovery, 2025, 19(44), e24dd3017

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v19i44.e24dd3017

Published: 23 October 2025