AMELIORATIVE POTENTIALS OF NYMPHAEA ALBA ON HEPATOTOXICITY AND OXIDATIVE DAMAGE INDUCED BY CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ISONIAZID IN RATS

Objective: Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antioxidant potentials of ethanolic extract of Nymphaea alba against chronic exposure to isoniazid in rats. Material and Methods: Chronic administration of isoniazid (50 mg/kg) orally for 28 days lead to hepatotoxicity in rats. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract of Nymphaea alba flowers and leaves (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) were given orally for 31 days. Isoniazid was given to all rats except normal control from 4 th to the 31 st day of the study. On the 32 nd day, all animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for liver function tests and antioxidant study. Liver tissues were subjected to histopathological examination. Results: Chronic administration of isoniazid resulted in a significant elevation in liver enzymes and oxidative stress markers in rats. The extracts in 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses significantly decreased the isoniazid-induced elevation of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and serum bilirubin) as well as oxidative stress markers (catalase, GSH, and MDA) in rats. Histological findings supported the changes in biochemical parameters. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Nymphaea alba (NAEE) in 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg dose possess hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential. NAEE has ameliorative potentials against chronic isoniazid exposure induced hepatotoxicity in rats.