Phoenix dactylifera (Ajwa Date) Whole Fruit, Flesh and Powdered Seed Prevents Anti-Tuberculous Drug Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rabbits

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tuberculous medicine is known due to their oxidative stress. Ajwa dates may have a role to protect liver from oxidative stress Aims & Objectives: To assess the preventive effect of Ajwa date on hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tuberculous drugs in rabbits. Place and duration of study: Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore for three months, from May 2014 to July 2014. Material & Methods: Thirty rabbits were distributed into five groups. Rabbits of Group A and of B were fed on normal diet in form of pellets. Group C, D and E were provided diet containing one whole Ajwa date, flesh of one Ajwa date and powdered seed of one Ajwa date respectively in each 100 grams of diet throughout study. Group B, C, D and E were administered 50mg/kg isoniazid and 100mg/kg rifampicin orally for 14 days. Serum levels of liver enzymes Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin were estimated on day 0 and 14. One way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s test and t-test were applied for statistical analysis using SPSS 20. Results: Baseline LFTs were normal in all groups. Significant hepatotoxicity was observed after 2weeks of INH and rifampicin administration in disease control group B (ALT 200.2±19.3 & ALP 231.0±21.3 IU/L, AST 139.0±22 & bilirubin 0.48±0.046mg/dl, (p value < 0.001) as compared to healthy control group A (ALT47.2 ± 6.7 & ALP78.2 ±5.0 IU/L, AST 43.0 ± 9.7, bilirubin 0.10± 0.00mg/dl). (p value < 0.001). Concomitant Ajwa intake during the same period resulted in an equipotent significantly similar improvement in LFTs in Groups C (whole date) ALT55.7 ± 4.7&ALP 91.5 ±5.0IU/L, AST, 59.0 ± 15.3 &bilirubin 0.09 ±0.02 mg/dl): D (flesh) ALT89.8 ± 6.3 & ALP111.3 ±9.4 IU/L, AST73.7 ± 8.3 & bilirubin0.12± 0.04 mg/dl & E (seed powder) ALT85.8 ± 8.6 IU/L &ALP 92.8 ±11.4 IU/L, AST57.5 ± 5.3 & bilirubin 0.12 ±0.04 mg/dl) versus group B (p value < 0.001). and near normalization of liver function close to that of healthy control group Conclusion: Co-administration of Ajwa date whole fruit, flesh and seed powder are equipotent and effective in preventing isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity.