Rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Protective effect of picrolive effect of picroliv

Abstract

AbstractRifampicin, an anti‐tubercular drug, at 100 mg/kg (122 μmol) body weight (daily single ip injection for 6 days) caused changes in most of the biochemical parameters of the liver and serum in rats, 24 h after the last injection. These included significant increase in the activities of hepatic γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, acid ribonuclease, acid phosphatase and decrease in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase. The levels of RNA, total proteins, bilirubin, total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, lipid peroxides in liver and bilirubin in serum increased while hepatic glycogen and serum proteins decreased. At a lower dose (50 mg/kg; 61 μmol/kg) the changes were less as compared to 100 mg/kg dose. When Picroliv (12 mg/kg body weight), a standardized iridoid glycoside mixture of Picrorhiza kurroa was administered simultaneously with rifampicin, most of the biochemical changes in liver and serum were prevented. These results indicate protective effect of Picroliv against rifampicin‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.