Comparative hepatotoxic study between acyclovir and famciclovir in adult male albino rats

ABSTRACT

Eighty adult male albino rats, which were divided into four groups, ninety rats each. Group 1 [negative control group], Group 2 [positive control group] gavaged orally with distilled water, Group 3 [Acyclovir group] gavaged orally with Acyclovir 432 mg/kg B. wt. once daily for 4 weeks and lastly Group 5 [Famcyclovir] gavaged orally with Famcyclovir 135 mg/kg B. wt. After 4 weeks, blood samples, for estimation of serum albumin and alkaline phosphatase, were withdrawn from each rat and then rats were sacrificed. Liver specimens were obtained for histopathological examination by light microscope after staining with haematoxylin and eosin and special stain for immunohistochemical detection of Appoptotic changes. As compared to control groups and Famcyclovir group, Acyclovir group showed significant decrease of serum albumin, elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity associated with a severe apoptotic changes as evidenced by Bc12 overexpression in liver cells. The present study doesn't recommend the use of Acyclovir in patient with liver impairment and if strongly indicated, it's wiser to use Farmcyclovir