Protective Effects of Cinnamon Bark Hydroalcoholic Extract on Inhibition of Isoniazid-Induced Liver Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Acute liver failure is caused by several factors including drugs. Isoniazid, which is used as an effective drug in treatment of tuberculosis, is considered a strong toxic agent for the liver. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamon extract on isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Liver damage and oxidative stress were induced by administration of isoniazid (300 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days. Different doses of cinnamon extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered by gavage. Liver damage caused by isoniazid was evaluated by examining serum biochemical factors, amount of reactive oxygen species, glutathione, antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and histopathological changes in liver tissue. Data analysis was performed in Prism software applying one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test.

Isoniazid at 200 mg/kg caused liver damage and significantly increased liver damage biomarkers (biochemical biomarkers, oxidative stress indices, and histopathological changes) (P<0.05). On the other hand, different doses of cinnamon extract significantly reduced the biomarkers of liver damage caused by isoniazid (P<0.05) and also improved the histopathological changes of liver tissue.

Cinnamon extract with antioxidant properties protects the liver against oxidative damage caused by isoniazid.