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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2006; 12(4): 636-639
Published online Jan 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i4.636
Effect of garlic on isoniazid and rifampicin-induced hepatic injury in rats
Ravinder Pal, Kim Vaiphei, Arbab Sikander, Kartar Singh, Satya V Rana
Ravinder Pal, Arbab Sikander, Kartar Singh, Satya V Rana, Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Kim Vaiphei, Department of Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India, No. 45/39/2002-PHA/BMS
Correspondence to: Dr. SV Rana, Department of Gastor PGIMER, Chd, House No. 137, Sector 15-A, Chandigarh 160015, India. svrana25@hotmail.com
Telephone: +91-172-2756605 Fax: +91-172-2744401
Received: June 30, 2005
Revised: July 8, 2005
Accepted: July 25, 2005
Published online: January 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of garlic on liver injury induced by isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF).

METHODS: Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were treated orally with 50 mg/kg of INH and RIF daily each for 28 d. For hepatoprotective studies, 0.25 g/kg per day of freshly prepared garlic homogenate was administered orally half an hour before the INH+RIF doses. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin were estimated on d 0, 14, 21, and 28 in all the rats. Histological analysis was carried out to assess the injury to the liver. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) as a marker of oxidative stress and non-protein thiols (glutathione) for antioxidant levels were measured in liver homogenate.

RESULTS: The treatment of rats with INH+RIF (50 mg/kg per day each) induced hepatotoxicity in all the treated animals as judged by elevated serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels, presence of focal hepatocytic necrosis (6/8) and portal triaditis (8/8). Garlic simultaneously administered at a dose of 0.25 g/kg per day prevented the induction of histopathological injuries in INH+RIF co-treated animals, except in 4 animals, which showed only moderate portal triaditis. The histological changes correlated with oxidative stress in INH+RIF treated animals. The group which received 0.25 g/kg per day garlic homogenate along with INH+RIF showed higher levels of glutathione (P < 0.05) and low levels of LPO (P < 0.05) as compared to INH+RIF treated group.

CONCLUSION: Freshly prepared garlic homogenate protects against INH+RIF-induced liver injury in experimental animal model.

Keywords: Garlic, Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Liver injury