HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ABELMOSCHUS FICULNEUS ROOT EXTRACT AGAINST DRUG INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY CAUSED BY THE COMBINED ACTION OF ISONIAZID AND RIFAMPICIN

The present study was focused on the hepatoprotective effect of Abelmoschus ficulneus root extract against drug induced hepatotoxicity caused by the combined action of Isoniazid and Rifampicin in rats. Administration of INH and RIF (each at 50 mg/kg, i.p.) for 15 days induces the hepatotoxicity by altering the levels of hepatic marker enzymes, lipid profile parameters, lipid peroxides, oxidative stress markers and histopathological parameters. Treatment with methanolic extract of Abelmoschus ficulneus at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o significantly ameliorated all altered parameters along with histopathological findings. The results revealed that Abelmoschus ficulneus root extract has exhibited more significant protection from drug induced hepatotoxicity at 400 mg/kg and it was well comparable to the standard drug silymarin at 100 mg/kg.