HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM) AND MILK THISTLE (SILYMARIN) IN ISONIAZID INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Objective: Assessment and comparison of hepatoprotective role of garlic and silymarin in anti- tuberculosis drug (Isoniazid) induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Healthy rats weighing 150 – 200g were selected for the study. Rats were divided into four groups, i.e. group A (Control), group B (INH treated group), group C and D serve as experimental groups. The group A received only the normal diet, Group B along with normal diet received the isoniazid (50 mg/kg/day), Group C along with normal diet received the isoniazid (50 mg/kg/day) and Silymarin (200 mg/kg/day), and Group D along with normal diet received the isoniazid (50 mg/kg/day) and garlic (0.25 g/kg/day). Results: On completion of 28 days of treatment blood samples were collected for the assessment of liver function. In group B there was abnormal rise in the levels of biochemical markers (ALT, AST, ALP and Total Bilirubin). In group C the biochemical markers were near normal levels and in gro- up D the levels of biochemical markers were within normal limits. Conclusion: Both the garlic and silymarin have shown the hepatoprotective effect against the Anti- tuberculosis drug (isoniazid) induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animal model.