Hepatoprotective effect of Picrorrhiza kurroa on antioxidant defense system in antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) on liver mitochondrial antioxidant defense system in isoniazid and rifampicin-induced hepatitis in rats was 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 in 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.