This study evaluates the use of saliva as a biological fluid for UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis of artemisinin derivatives: artesunate and dihydroartemisinin in Nigerian subjects. The absorbance of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin saliva samples was measured using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The samples were analysed with and without coupling to benzene diazonium chloride (chromogenic agent). The saliva samples collected from the subjects at various time intervals after the administration of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin at λmax of 318nm and 312nm, respectively, showed significant accuracy and sensitivity of the method. A standard curve of artesunate gave a straight line with a standard deviation of 0.008178, with LOD and LOQ values of 35.80µg/mL and 108.485µg/mL, respectively. The standard curve of dihydroartemisinin gave a straight line with a standard deviation of 0.0000940, with LOD and LOQ values of 4.094µg/mL and 12.405µg/mL, respectively. Due to its ease of obtainment and greater patient acceptability, saliva sampling analysis using spectrophotometric methods is beneficial in the pharmacokinetic study of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin.

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