Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Neem Extract in Rifampin Induced Acute Hepatic Failure in Rats

ABSTRACT

The liver plays a role in many body functions such as immune defense and the metabolism of sugar and fat. Rifampin (RIF)is an antibacterial drug prescribed to treat tuberculosis (TB) along with multiple drugs. Other types of infections may alsobe treated with rifampin. Although the therapeutic effect of RIF has many adverse effects such as hepatoyoxicity. Neem (NM)has more than 140 compounds from various parts that have been isolated and can thus play a role in preventinghepatotoxicity. The research was carried out to examine the protective effect of neem leaves extract (NMLE) on RIF-inducedliver damage. Forty male rats had been divided into four groups; Group I) non-treated negative control group, (Group II),which was given RIF (54 mg/kg/day) for thirty days, (groups III and IV intoxicated rats received orally the NMLE in dosesof two hundred and fifty and five hundred mg/kg/day respectively, for 30 days. At day 30, blood was collected forbiochemical analysis, as well as the liver was also examined histopathologically. The results revealed that the NMLE at thetwo dosage levels significantly decreased serum levels of liver enzymes and MDA accompanied by significantly increased inactivities of GSH, SOD, and showed ant-inflammatory effects as evidence by significantly decreased in TNF-α and IL-1αlevels compared to RIF group II. There was also an improvement in histopathological alterations observed in liver tissues ofhepatotoxic rats. Therefore, the administrations of NMLE has hepatoprotective effects in hepatotoxic rats via antioxidantand ant-inflammatory pathway.