Ameliorative effect of rutin against isoniazid-induced alterations in certain hematological and biochemical parameters of albino rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Isoniazid (INH) represents one of the first-line drugs recommended for the treatment and prophylaxis of tuberculosis. Yet, different reports indicated that INH treatment was associated with different adverse reactions in patients and experimental animals. Rutin belongs to a class of flavonoids called flavonols and it showed in different studies anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidative activity of rutin against the INH-induced alterations in hematological parameters, serum glucose and lipids and renal function. Materials and Methods: Eighty male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, INH-treated, (rutin+INH)-treated and rutin-treated groups. INH and rutin were orally administered at dose levels of 54 and 40 mg kg-1 b.wt., respectively, daily for four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The administration of INH alone daily for four weeks resulted in normocytic normochromic anemia associated with leukopenia. Leukopenia was a direct consequence of the reduction in neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts. A marked hypoglycemia was observed associated with significant increments (p<0.001) in serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in rats treated with INH. Renal function of INH-treated animals was not affected as serum urea and creatinine concentrations were not significantly altered, but serum uric acid was markedly increased. The administration of rutin 1 h prior to the INH treatment resulted in the amelioration of above-mentioned alterations. Moreover, the administration of rutin alone did not significantly alter the studied parameters. Conclusion: Keeping in view, the importance of INH in treatment of tuberculosis, it seems necessary to co-administer a flavonoid such as rutin in order to ameliorate the INH-induced adverse reactions.