Ameliorative role of Caralluma attenuata (Wight) against Antituberculosis drug, Rifampicin induced Hepatotoxicity in male albino Wistar rats

Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases in India and has attained epidemic proportions. With 3.4 million cases, India carries more than 20% of the world’s TB burden. However TB is not just a public health problem but also a socioeconomic challenge. Rifampicin is an antituberculosis drug effectively cures tuberculosis unfortunately liver get damage. The present study was undertaken to scientifically prove the traditional use of the plant, Caralluma attenuata aqueous extract against liver disorders. The ameliorative potential of aqueous Caralluma attenuata on liver damage was evaluated by rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino Wistar rats were orally treated with aqueous Caralluma attenuata (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) or silymarin (25 mg/kg) daily to rifampicin (1 g/kg, one day only) treated rats. Rifampicin induced liver damage and significantly increased the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and bilirubin and decreased the levels of protein in serum as compared with control group. Treatment with aqueous Caralluma attenuata or silymarin could significantly decrease the ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and bilirubin whereas protein level in serum was increased when compared with rifampicin alone treated rats. The result revealed that aqueous extracts of Caralluma attenuata could be useful in ameliorating antituberculosis drug rifampicin induced liver injury.