Protective Effect of Blumera lacera in Rifampicin Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Tuberculosis is one of the bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis strain and the treatment for it involves the use of anti-tubercular drugs. Rifampicin is one of the common drug that is used for tuberculosis but it potentiates liver toxicity due to metabolism. Objective: The present study was designed to Check the a hepatoprotective agent from a natural source. The natural source was chosen to minimize the side effects that occur due to conventional or synthetic drugs. The hepatoprotective activity of 70% ethanol extract of Blumea lacera leaves (EEBLL) was evaluated against Rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening, acute oral toxicity, in vivo antioxidant activity, physical and Biochemical parameters were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that flavonoids, tannin and saponins are present in EEBLL. Acute oral toxicity was performed as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines and selected doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. In rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats, the effect of EEBLL on the biochemical parameters (SGOT, SGPT, ALP, direct and total Bilirubin) was assessed. The increased levels of the above-mentioned biochemical indicators of hepatotoxicity were significantly normalized after the pretreatment with EEBLL (200 mg/ kg and 400mg/kg). The histopathological studies also supported above findings. It is concluded from this study that EEBLL possesses hepatoprotective properties which may be attributed to the polyphenolic compounds that are present in the plant. Further isolation and characterization are required to identify the potent compound as hepatoprotective.