ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the hepatotoxicity activity of two broad spectrum antibiotics. Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacin both independently and synergistically in Wistar albino rats for prolonged administration for twenty-one day period. Doses of 7.14mg/kg and 14.28 mg/kg which arc equivalents for 5()0mg and lOOOmg of both drugs in human were used for the experiment, and 7.14mg'kg (i.e. 5()0mg in human equivalent) each of both drugs were administered to evaluate synergistic el feet, the control group for this study received no administration (negative control). iGroup I was the control, group 2 received 7.14mg/kg (500mg) of Ciprofloxacin, group 3 received 7.Idmg/kg (50()mg) of Amoxicillin, group 4 received 14.28mg/kg (1000mg) of (. iprolloxacin, group 5 received I4.28mg/kg (1000mg) of Amoxicillin and group jf> received 7.l4mg'kg (500mg) of both drugs. After the 21-day period, the animals were fasted and their blood and liver collected for biochemical and histopathology examination of the liver respectively. The degree of hepatotoxicity was determined by' measuring levels of biochemical markers Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Aspartate aminotransferase (AS 1 l.Alkaline phosphatasc (AI.P). Bilirubin and Total protein. It was observed at the end of the study that the levels of ALT. AST. ALP and Total protein (17.5 13.54. 28.012.83. 76.381 2.97, 8.2010.04) showed significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with the control, the bilirubin level (0.9010.04) in the serum showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The histopathology examination showed normal hepatocytes for animals in groups I (control), 3. 4 and 5. but showed necrosis, mono-nuclear phagocytes and mild to severe infiltration of inflammatory cells. ’ In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the administration of both drugs at normal doses has little effect on the liver biqmarkcrs, but at higher doses of both drugs showed more li I viii I I ii II I I Ish T K I t injury to hepatocytes at prolonged use. The synergistic use of both drugs however, shows severe injury to liver cells, with inflammatory' and phagocytic infiltration.