Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

Objective: Rifampicin continues to be an effective drug for treatment oftuberculosis. A variety of drug reactions have been reported of which hepatotoxicity is wellknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid as dietarysupplementation in case of Rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity. Data source: Animal house NIH(National Institute of Health). Study design: Randomized control trial. Materials and Methods:Thirty adult BALB/c mice weighing 30-60 grams were taken. They were kept under standardlaboratory conditions. Mice were randomized and divided into three groups A, B and C eachcontaining 10 mice. Group A was given Rifampicin 100 mg/kg body weight, group B wasadministered Rifampicin 100 mg/kg body weight along with ascorbic acid 500 mg/kg bodyweight orally and group C was given regular NIH lab diet for six weeks. Result: Liver specimens ofanimals given rifampicin showed formation of necrotic foci. Simultaneous administration ofascorbic acid significantly reduced histological changes induced by Rifampicin. Conclusions:Ascorbic acid has protective role against hepatotoxic effect of Rifampicin used in chemotherapyof tuberculosis in animal models.