Chemoprevention of Silymarin and Vitamin C on Isoniazid-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Experimental Rat Model

Isoniazid, anti-mycobacterial agent employed clinically in the treatment of bacterial infections (tuberculosis), is known to cause a number of biochemical dysfunctions and suspected to induce hepatic damage to animals and humans. However, co-administration of antioxidants to ameliorate the possible ill effect of anti-tuberculosis medications should be advocated. The present study therefore evaluates its toxicity in liver cells of male rats and the chemo-preventive effect of Silymarin (SIL) and Vitamin C. Administration of Isoniazid caused a significant (p< 0.05) increase in the activities of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). While SIL and Vitamin C significantly reversed the toxicity effect induced by antibiotic drug. Collectively, the results suggest that therapeutic dose of Isoniazid elicits hepatotoxicity in male rats. The chemo-protection effects of SIL and Vitamin C during Isoniazid treatment suggest their clinical applications in hepatic damage and may serve as adjunct in tuberculosis therapy.