LIVER PROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF COCCINIA GRANDIS FRUITS EXTRACT AGAINST ANTI-TUBERCULAR DRUGS INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY IN RATS

To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Coccinia grandis fruit extract against anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in rats. 50% ethanolic extract of Coccinia grandis (CGE 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily for 9 days in experimental animals. To develop hepatotoxicity, animals were administered orally with Isoniazid (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and Rifampicin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) at 2 h after the doses of CGE every day for nine consecutive days except for rats in the normal group. The hepatoprotective activity was determined using different biochemical parameters such asalanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), Bilirubin (BIL), Cholesterol (CHL) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Histopathological examinations further accomplished the hepatoprotective effect of the CDE. The results obtained demonstrated that the treatment with Coccinia grandis significantly (P<0.05-P<0.001) and dose-dependently prevented the drug-induced increase in serum levels of hepatic enzymes. Histopathology of liver tissue showed that Coccinia grandis attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis, regeneration, and repair of cells toward normal. The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of Coccinia grandis against liver injury, which may be attributed to its hepatoprotective activity, and thereby scientifically support its traditional use.