Hepatoprotective effect of caffeine against isoniazid-induced hepatic damage in albino rats

Objective: The study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of caffeine against
isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
Materials & Method: Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino rats by administering isoniazid (250
mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 14 days. Simultaneously, caffeine (100, 200, 300 mg/kg p.o) was
administered 1 h prior to the administration of isoniazid (250 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 14 days.
Silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o) was used as a reference drug.
Results: Elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and
total bilirubin following isoniazid administration were significantly lowered due to pretreatment with
caffeine.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of caffeine might be
attributed to its safe and effective treatment of isoniazid hepatotoxicity.