ABSTRACT
This study aims at investigating the ability of Vitamin C as antioxidant to reduce the side effect of Penicillin and Streptomycin on function and tissue of liver in guinea pig. A total of fiftyfive adult male guinea pigs weighing 800-900g were divided into six groups, and the period of experiment was 30 days. Group I served as control, group 2 was administrated orally with Vitamin C 100 mg/kg, group 3 was intraperitoneally [i.p.] injected with penicillin 50000 IU/kg, group 4, in addition to Penicillin [50000IU/kg], was orally administrated with Vitamin C 100 mg/kg, group 5 was [i.p.] injected with streptomycin 50 mg/kg, and group 6, in addition to streptomycin [50 mg/kg], was orally administrated with Vitamin C 100 mg/kg. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of AST, ALT and ALP, and a significant decrease in the levels of total protein and albumin, with histopathological changes in Penicillin and Streptomycin treated guinea pigs when compared to the control. Administration of vitamin C to penicillin and streptomycin treated groups produced significant [P<0.01] reduction in AST, ALT and ALP and an increase in total protein and albumin levels. Administration of vitamin C also decreased these histopathological changes in hepatocytes appearance which was more or less similar to control group, as well as its function. The present results indicate that Vitamin C may play an important role as Cytoprotective and pave the way for further studies on the possible use of Vitamin C.