Abstract
Vernonia amygdalina has been shown to have antioxidant activity, and is also expected to have hepatoprotective activity. This study was conducted to study the effect of V. amygdalina ethanol extracts on intoxicated rat livers. Fresh leaves were extracted in ethanol, and the hepatoprotective activity was tested on male Wistar rats induced with a combination of isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin. Parameters observed were the activity of the enzyme alanine transferase (ALT), serum albumin levels, liver index, and histopathological of the rat liver. The results showed that 50 and 100 mg/kg rat body weight of V. amygdalina ethanol extracts could prevent liver intoxication, starting on day 14. Based on serum albumin concentrations and ALT activity, the high dose extract (100 mg/kg) was more potent as a hepatoprotective agent compared to the extract at a low dose (50 mg/kg). The group of rats treated with a high dose extract showed normal liver index compared to the positive control. Through histology examination, the liver of rats treated with a high dose extract (100 mg/kg) showed minimal liver cell structure damage, and showed similar patterns to the normal rat. Based on these results, it can be concluded that V. amygdalina ethanol extracts can be used to protect the liver in a combination of INH and rifampicin as antituberculosis treatment.
Highlights
IntroductionThe metabolism of drugs and other exogenous compounds mainly takes place in the liver [1]
The metabolism of drugs and other exogenous compounds mainly takes place in the liver [1].In addition, most drugs are administered orally and are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract to the tissues through the liver
According to research by Nurazminah conducted in a hospital in the cities of Jakarta and Cisarua, Indonesia, the percentage of respondents who experienced liver damage caused by anti-TB drugs was 52.2% [3]
Summary
The metabolism of drugs and other exogenous compounds mainly takes place in the liver [1]. Tuberculosis remains a major health problem in South-East Asia and is one of the highest causes of morbidity and mortality It is the second highest cause of adult deaths after cardiovascular disease, and is the deadliest pathogen out of all the communicable diseases; there are about half a million cases of smear-positive TB in Indonesia. Due to this high rate of incidence of TB, many patients prescribed anti-TB drugs suffered damage to the liver. Chemotherapy combination drugs are known to cause toxicity of the liver (hepatotoxiticy). V. amygdalina ethanolic extracts in an anti-TB drug-induced animal model
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