Hepatoprotective Effect of the Ursolic Acid-Oleanolic Acid Mixture Administered Intragastrically in Mice with Liver Damage Induced by Anti-TB Drugs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The hepatoprotective (HPP) effect of the ursolic acid and oleanolic acid (UA/OA) mixture administered intragastrically (i.g.) against the damage caused by antituberculosis drugs (rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide, -RIF/INH/PZA-) is described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The UA/OA mixture was obtained from the methanolic extract (MeOH) of _Rosmarinus officinalis_. The assay was performed in male Balb/C mice with hepatic damage induced by RIF/INH/PZA, and, as a positive control, silymarin (SIL) was used. The UA/OA mixture was administered by i.g. at 10 and 20 mg/kg during 60 days. RESULTS: The UA/OA mixture administered at 10 and 20 mg/kg for 60 days favored body weight gain and lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This effect was similar to positive control (SIL). At the histological level, a slight reduction of steatosis in the group that received the UA/OA mixture at 10 mg/kg was observed with respect to the group with hepatic damage and with the UA/OA group at 20 mg/kg. The UA/OA mixture at 10 mg/kg showed a good HPP effect. CONCLUSIONS: The UA/OA mixture administered i.g. favored body weight gain and lowered levels of hepatic enzymes while reducing steatosis before the damage caused by antituberculosis drugs. The best dose was 10 mg/kg administered over 60 days.