Short Communication

Abstract

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms with a central role involved in the pathogenesis of antitubercular drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin)-induced hepatitis. In the present study the antihepatotoxic effect of the ethanol extract of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) on liver mitochondrial antioxidant defense system in antitubercular drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin)-induced hepatitis in rats has been investigated. In liver mitochondria of antitubercular drugs administered rats, a significant elevation in the level of lipid peroxidation with concomitant decline in the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes was observed. Co-administration of PK (50 mg/kg/day for 45 days) significantly prevented these antitubercular drugs-induced alterations and maintained the rats at near normal status. The results of the present investigation indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of P. kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) might be ascribable to its membrane-stabilizing action and/or antioxidant property.

Key words: Picrorhiza kurroa, antihepatotoxic activity, antitubercular drugs, mitochondria, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system.