Salvia hispanica (Chia) seeds afford hepatoprotection against isoniazid and rifampicin induced toxicity in a murine model

Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid and polyphenolic compounds with documented antioxidant property protecting against oxidative stress, which is implicated in the pathophysiology of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Hence, the present study evaluates the effects of Salvia hispanica seeds in an animal model of antitubercular drug induced hepatic damage. Adult wistar rats were divided into six groups; normal control, hepatotoxic control, test groups treated orally with ground Salvia hispanica seeds at doses 250,500 and 1000mg/day respectively, standard control receiving silymarin at a dose of 50mg/kg orally. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering isoniazid with rifampicin at a dose of 100mg/kg each intraperitoneal. After administration of drugs for a period of 21 days, the blood samples were evaluated for estimation of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), total protein, albumin and total bilirubin and the liver was dissected and sent for histopathological evaluation. The hepatotoxic group showed a significant increase in liver enzymes and total bilirubin compared to normal control. There was a significant decrease in liver enzymes and total bilirubin in the drug treated and silymarin treated groups when compared to the control. However, there was no significant difference in protein and albumin between groups. Histopathological evaluation of the liver further confirmed the hepatoprotective potential of the seeds of Salvia hispanica. Salvia hispanica seeds protect against drug induced liver injury in a murine model and the underlying mechanism can be accorded to its antioxidant activity.