Protective role of dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate (DDB) against erythromycin induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

In this study, dimethyl-4,4′-dimethoxy-5,6,5′,6′-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylate (DDB) was examined to justify its role in the hepatoprotection against erythromycin toxicity in male rats. Oral daily administration of toxic dose of erythromycin stearate (EE, 100 mg/kg body weight) was given to male rats for fourteen days to induce hepatotoxicity. It was found at the end of the experiment (14 days) that the total body weight was markedly decreased in rat treated with erythromycin stearate (EE). Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were recorded in rats treated with erythromycin stearate (EE). The red blood cells (RBCs) count, haemoglobin content (Hb) and haematocrit value (Hct) were significantly reduced in rats treated with EE. The hepatotoxicities were monitored by increased level of plasma enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase; AST and alanine aminotransferase; ALT), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, total lipids and glucose. The data obtained showed that oral administration of DDB (100 mg/kg body weight) has significantly prevented the occurrence of EE-induced liver damage. The biochemical data were supplemented by histopathological examination of the liver of control and treated rats. DDB showed a better hepatoprotective effect compared with ursodesoxycholic acid or Silymarin (Sil), as a reference drug.