Protective effects of aqueous extract of wampee fruit against anti-tubercular drug-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The fruits of wampee have been used traditionally as stomachic and vermifuge herbs. Previous research has shown that wampee fruits possess antioxidant and antialcoholism effects. Drug-induced liver injury is very common when using anti-tubercular drugs, and is considered to be linked to oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of wampee fruits against antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by oral administration of a combination of isoniazid and rifampicin. An aqueous extract from the fruits of wampee (AEFW) at doses of 1.5 and 3.0 g/kg/d were evaluated for their potential hepatoprotective effects. The serum levels of hepatic alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were estimated at the end of the experiments. An analysis of hepatic histopathology was carried out to assess injury to the liver. Western blot and immunostaining were used to determine the levels of protein expression. The results showed that AEFW (1.5 and 3.0 g/kg/d) was found to significantly decrease the levels of ALT and AST and reduce hepatocellular necrosis and liver fibrosis in treated rats, compared with the control group. Furthermore, Western blot and immunostaining analysis revealed that the extract can down-regulate the expression of MyD88 and NF-κB p65, and inhibit NF-κB p65 phosphorylation. Therefore AEFW can alleviate anti-tubercular drug-induced liver damage by enhancing anti-inflammatory effects.