Hepatoprotective Effect of Silymarin Against Hepatotoxicity Induced by Anti‐tubercular Drugs in Malnourished Rats

• Published in: The FASEB journal 2007, Vol.21 (6), p.A808-A808
• Main Authors: Bansal, Sandeep, Tekur, Uma, Chaturvedi, K Uma, Gupta, V K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.A808-a

Albino Wistar rats (80–115 grams; either sex) were divided into 10 groups (6 rats in each group). One control group was given normal diet for 33 days. Control groups 2 & 3 were given protein‐deficient diet (3.5 gm % proteins) for 33 and 47 days, respectively, without any drug administration. Test groups were given protein‐deficient diet for 33 days followed by administration of drugs ‐ Isoniazid (I,50 mg/kg), Rifampin(R,50mg/kg), Pyrazinamide (Z,1.5gm/kg), and Silymarin (S,200mg/kg) in various combinations (I, IR, IRZ, S, SI, SIR, SIRZ) for the next 14 days along with protein‐deficient diet. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by histopathology and biochemical tests (serum liver function tests, glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes‐glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). Results:There was significant hepatotoxicity in rats who were administered antitubercular drugs as compared to the control group given normal diet. Malnourishment by itself has shown hepatotoxicity and increase in oxidative stress. Results were compared between groups administered antitubercular drugs and the groups administered Silymarin along with antitubercular drugs. There was significant improvement in AST levels in SIR (P=0.001); ALT levels in SIRZ (0.01); bilirubin levels in SI(0.008), SIR(0.0005), SIRZ(0.02); albumin levels in SIRZ (0.00002); glutathione levels in SIRZ (0.0004); glutathione peroxidase levels in SIR (0.002); superoxide dismutase levels in SI (0.01) and SIR(0.0001) groups. Conclusion: Silymarin significantly protects against hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs in malnourished rats. Research support: Maulana Azad Medical College, India