Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced oxidative stress in kidneys: Role of brahmi as an antioxidant supplement

Purpose: Nephrotoxicity is a known, but rare complication of anti-tuberculosis (TB) therapy and is known to be due to induction of oxidative stress and immune reaction to the drugs. In the current study, we have made an attempt to evaluate the effect of Brahmi in attenuating the oxidative stress caused by isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) in the kidneys of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were administered INH and RIF with concomitant supplementation of Brahmi for 28 days. The levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine, and acid phosphatase were measured to evaluate kidney function along with catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation to assess the kidney antioxidant status. In addition, the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were also measured. The protective efficacy of Brahmi was compared to that of Silymarin. Results: Brahmi caused a statistically significant (P < 0.05) restoration of kidney function along with an increase in the antioxidant status. This was accompanied by a reduction of TNF-α level to near normal. A histopathological study of the kidney tissues confirmed the protective effect of Brahmi against INH- and RIF-induced oxidative stress in the kidneys. Conclusion: It is evident that Brahmi plays a protective role against anti-TB drug-induced oxidative stress in the kidneys.