Protective role of sildenafil citrate in isoniazid-rifampicin induced histomorphological changes in liver of albino mice

Objectives: The objective of the study was to reveal the reversal of histo-morphological changes in mice liver induced by combined isoniazid-rifampicin (INH-RIF) therapy with sildenafil treatment. Methods: Twenty-one mice weighing between 25–35 g were enrolled in the study. Randomisation was carried out by simple balloting method. The selected mice were sorted into three groups with 7 mice, each group. In group C (n=7) control group, mice were administered 0.4ml of saline per kg body weight daily intra peritoneally for 21 days. In group R (n=7) INH-RIF group, rifampicin (50 mg/kg) and isoniazid (50 mg/kg), dissolved in 4 ml/kg isotonic saline, were administered intra-peritoneally (ip) daily for 21 days. In group S (n=7) sildenafil administered group, 10 mg/kg sildenafil was given orally by gastric gavage on daily basis along with the intraperitoneal injection of INH-RIF (50 mg/kg each) daily for 21 days. Results: Histopathology revealed hepatotoxicity in group R (INH-RIF), while significant improvement was observed in group C (INH-RIF-sildenafil). Conclusion: Sildenafil citrate possesses hepatoprotective role against INH-RIF induced hepatotoxicity.