Hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Ziziphus oenoplia(L.)Mill roots against antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in experimental models

Objective:To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic(50%) extract of Ziziphus oenoplia(L.) Mill(Z.oenoplia) root against isoniazid(INH) and rifampicin(RIF) induced liver damage in animal models.Methods:Five groups of six rats each were selected for the study.Ethanolic extract at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg as well as silymarin(100 mg/kg) were administered orally once daily for 21 d in INH + RIF treated groups.The serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT),glutamate pyruvate transaminase(SGPT),alkaline phosphatase (SALP),and bilirubin were estimated along with activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase, glutathione S-transferase,glutathione peroxidase,and hepatic melondialdehyde formation. Histopathological analysis was carried out to assess injury to the liver.Result:The considerably elevated serum enzymatic activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase,glutamate pyruvate transaminase,alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin due to INH + RIF treatment were restored towards norma) in a dose dependent manner after the treatment with ethanolic extract of Z.oenoplia roots.Meanwhile,the decreased activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase were also restored towards normal dose dependency.In addition,ethanolic extract also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic melondialdehyde formation in the liver of INH + RIF intoxicated rats in a dose dependent manner. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections.Conclusions:The results of this study slrongly indicate that ethanolic extract of Z.oenoplia has a potent hepatoprotective action against INH + RIF induced hepatic damage in rats.