J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;27(2) http://www.jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk 346 ORIGINAL ARTICLE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L. (SUGAR CANE) JUICE ON ISONIAZID INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO MICE Sadia Wazir Khan, Mohammad Tahir*, Khalid Pervez Lone**, Bushra Munir*, Waqas Latif Department of Anatomy, Central Park Medical College, * Department of Anatomy, ** Department of Physiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore-Pakistan Background: Isoniazid (INH) is the drug of choice for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and it is a well-known cause of acute clinical liver injury which can be severe and sometimes fatal. The study was designed to investigate the effects of Saccharum officinarum L. juice on oxidative liver injury due to INH in mice. Methods: This was a laboratory based experimental study. Thirty mice were divided into three groups, containing 10 mice each. Group A being the control; group B and C were experimental and were treated orally with INH 100 mg/kg per day and INH 100 mg/kg per day plus Saccharum officinarum L. juice 15 ml/ kg per day respectively for a period of 30 days. Blood samples were taken at 30 th day by cardiac puncture under anaesthesia and liver in each was taken out for microscopic examination. Results: INH treated mice showed; rise in serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin levels (Mean±SEM), while group C mice treated with Saccharum officinarum L. juice significantly decreased the levels of these biochemical parameters. The histo- pathological examination of groups A showed normal liver structure which was deranged in (INH) group B, whereas group C showed significant recovery in histological structure. Saccharum officinarum L. constituents, especially flavanoids and anthocyanins have strong antioxidant properties which provides hepatoprotection against oxidative liver injury produced by INH. Conclusion: INH-induced liver injury is associated with oxidative stress, and co-administration of Saccharum officinarum L. juice (15 ml/Kg bw) may reduce this damage effectively in mice. Keywords: Isoniazid (INH), Saccharum officinarum, Hepatoprotection. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;27(2):346–50 INTRODUCTION Isoniazid is the drug of choice for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and is used for the prophylaxis and treatment of the disease which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1 , it was introduced in 1952 and contributed greatly to decrease the morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis. 2 INH is a well-known cause of acute clinical liver injury which can be severe and sometimes fatal. 3 The incidence of liver toxicity is 2.6% with isoniazid and rifampicin co-administration and 1.6% with isoniazid alone. 4 The mechanism of hepatic damage produced by isoniazid is not clearly understood. Recent studies include production of oxidative stress by isoniazid as a cause of hepatic damage. Free radicals damage the hepatocytes by lipid peroxidation. 5–7 There is an increase in lipid peroxidation accompanied by an increase in transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels associated with daily intake of isoniazid coupled with a decrease in antioxidants, i.e., thiols, catalase and superoxide dismutase in liver and blood. 8 Garlic, carotenoids 8 and Cassia fistula (amaltas) 9 have strong antioxidant properties and have been used in INH and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in animal models. This suggests the role of antioxidants in protecting free radical induced injury by INH. Saccharum officinarum L., commonly known as sugar cane is a tall grass native to tropical regions of Asia. 10 It has been used as a folk remedy for arthritis, bedsores, boils, cancer, colds, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, hiccups, inflammation, laryngitis, sore throat and wounds for centuries. Its main properties being that of an antiseptic and bactericide, it has also been used as a cardiotonic, diuretic, and laxative. 11 It has been reported to possess antioxidant 12 , anti-cancerous and anti-proliferative properties 13,14 . Different extracts of sugarcane are reported to have cholesterol lowering and antiplatelet effects 15 along with prevention of injury in brain 16 . Sugarcane juice is a rich source of antioxidant compounds, i.e., polyphenolics predominantly falvonoids. 17 The present work was, therefore, designed to evaluate the effect of Saccharum officinarum L. on isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity.