RIFAMPICIN INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS - PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PICROLIV

Rifampicin, an anti-tubercular drug, at 100 mg/kg (122 mu mol) body we ight (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 activit ies of hepatic gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, acid ribonuclease, acid phosphatase and decrease in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase. T he levels of RNA, total proteins, bilirubin, total lipids, phospholipi ds, cholesterol, lipid peroxides in liver and bilirubin in serum incre ased while hepatic glycogen and serum proteins decreased. At a lower d ose (50 mg/kg; 61 mu mol/kg) the changes were less as compared to 100 mg/kg dose. When Picroliv (12 mg/kg body weight), a standardized irido id glycoside mixture of Picrorhiza kurroa was administered simultaneou sly with rifampicin, most of the biochemical changes in liver and seru m were prevented. These results indicate protective effect of Picroliv against rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. (C) 1994 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.