Objectives Rifampicin is a fundamental broad-spectrum antibiotic essential for tuberculosis treatment but carries a significant risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), often mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. This hepatotoxicity can disrupt therapy and patient outcomes, highlighting the need for protective adjuvants. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a potent multi-target agent with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Its potential to shield the liver from xenobiotic damage makes it a prime candidate for ameliorating rifampicin-induced hepatic injury, requiring histopathological validation. The study aimed to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective efficacy of curcumin against rifampicin -induced liver injury. Material and Methods I allocated 40 Wistar rats into four equal groups (n=10 each) for a 28-day study. The control group (G1) received the vehicle only. Group II (G2) was administered rifampicin (100 mg kg -1 day -1 ). Group III (G3) received curcumin (200 mg kg -1 day -1 ). Group IV (G4) was treated with rifampicin (100 mg kg -1 day -1 ) followed by curcumin (200 mg kg -1 day -1 ) after a 2-hour gap. All treatments were administered via oral gavage, with doses based on established protocols. Livers were collected and subjected to histopathological examination. Results Histological analysis revealed normal hepatic architecture in the control (G1) and curcumin-only (G3) groups. In contrast, the rifampicin-treated group (G2) exhibited severe hepatocellular damage, including diffuse hydropic degeneration, coagulative necrosis, severe central vein and sinusoidal dilatation/congestion, and marked inflammatory infiltration. Co-administration of curcumin with rifampicin (G4) resulted in significant hepatoprotection, with liver tissue appearing largely normal. Only mild residual changes, such as focal hydropic degeneration and minimal inflammation, were observed. Conclusion These findings provide direct morphological evidence that curcumin effectively ameliorates the severe histopathological alterations induced by rifampicin in the rat liver. I concluded that curcumin has a significant hepatoprotective impact against rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity through neutralization of all pathological features.
Fawiziah khalaf Alharbi (2026) studied this question.