Berberis aristata Ameliorates Testicular Toxicity Induced by Combination of First-Line Tuberculosis Drugs (Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide) in Normal Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT

First-line antituberculosis drugs, namely, isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), and pyrazinamide (PZA), contribute to diverse pathological complications. Testicular toxicity is one such complication. Berberis aristata DC is an herb with potentially curative characteristics. The aim of this study was to test whether extract of Berberis aristata DC (Berberidaceae) has curing potential against testicular toxicity. Characterization of extract was done using ultra-performance liquid chromatography along with acute toxicity testing. Antioxidant activity of extract was checked by DPPH inhibition assay and H₂O₂ scavenging assay. Rats were dosed once daily for 28 days in groups: control group (saline), toxicant group (30.85 mg/kg body weight INH + 61.7 mg/kg body weight RIF + 132.65 mg/kg body weight PZA), treatment groups (TB drugs + 150/300 mg/kg body weight extract) and standard group (TB drugs +100 mg/kg body weight silymarin). Spectrophotometric evaluations of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT) content in testes were done using standard protocols. DNA fragmentation and histopathological studies were performed to check the damage at the cellular level. Acute toxicity studies revealed LD₅₀ > 5 g/Kg body weight of B. aristata extract. IC₅₀ for DPPH free-radical scavenging activity and H₂O₂ scavenging assay were 44.78 µg/mL and 85.28 µg/mL, respectively. Results revealed significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, decrease in glutathione and different antioxidants levels, DNA fragmentation pattern, and changes in histology in toxicant group. All the changes were absent in high-dose (300 mg/kg body weight) extract treatment group. This work proved that B. aristata extract has protective efficacy against testicular damage caused by anti-TB drugs.

KEYWORDS:

• Anti-TB drugs
• biochemistry
• histopathology
• testicular toxicity

Acknowledgments

We thank the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, and Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, for providing a conducive atmosphere.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the FIST(SR/FST/LSI-545/2012(C) and CAS programme assistance (F.4-28/2015/CAS-II (SA)-II).

Notes on contributors

Radhika Sharma

Radhika Sharma, PhD from Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh India; currently working as assistant professor in Department of Zoology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Maharaja Agrasen University. Research interests: Cytogenetics, pharmacology and toxicology.

Neha Goyal

Neha Goyal, PhD from Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh India Research interests: Cytogenetics and phylogenetics.

Mandakini Singla

Mandakini Singla, PhD from Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh India Research interests: Cytogenetics and phylogenetics.

Vijay Lakshmi Sharma

Vijay Lakshmi Sharma, PhD from Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh India and currently working as a professor in Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh India Research interests: Cytogenetics, phylogenetics and pharmacology.