EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PHYSALI IXOCARPA AGAINST RIFAMPICIN-ISONIAZID INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

The liver is the primary organ that metabolizes the majority of the drug. Toxicity caused by these drugs to the liver is called hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity is a major concern in tuberculosis therapy, especially Rifampicin - Isoniazid (R-H). Studies showed that these drugs induce oxidative stress in the liver. This study attempts to determine whether the ethanolic extract of Physalis ixocarpa (EEPI) protects against R-H induced hepatotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (each group n=6 animals). Group I, control treated with normal saline (5ml/kg, b/w, p.o.). Group II, Hepatotoxicity induced by combination of R-H (each 50mg/kg, i.p.) administered up to 14 days. Group III and IV, EEPI (100 mg/kg & 200 mg/kg, b/w) were administered orally one hour before the R-H inducing agent up to 14 days. Group V, Silymarin (25 mg /kg, b/w., p.o.) was served as standard. After 14^th days animals were allowed fast overnight and blood was collected through orbital puncture and animal was sacrificed then liver tissue was collected for biochemical analysis and histopathological studies. Our results show a significant reduction in the level of alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and total bilirubin. Treatment with EEPI also showed a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. EEPI also reduced the macrovesicular steatosis and ballooning caused by the R-H. The present study demonstrates that administration of ethanolic extract of Physalis ixocarpa ameliorating hepatoprotective activity as evidenced by the biochemical and histopathological parameters.