Modulation of rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles: a study on rat and cell culture models

Hepatotoxicity is the most serious adverse effect of rifampicin (RIF). We aimed to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effect of mannose-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)/RIF nanoparticles (NPs) in rats as a possible promising approach to minimize RIF-induced hepatotoxicity. Mannose-functionalized PLGA/RIF NPs were fabricated and characterized , then the hepatoprotective effect of optimized NPs was studied on rat and cell culture models. Following intraperitoneal administration of RIF NPs into rats, highly significant differences in levels of serum transaminases and oxidative stress markers, associated with significant differences in expression of and genes between NP- and free RIF-treated groups, revealing the hepatoprotective potential of NPs. RIF NPs may represent a promising therapeutic approach for tuberculosis via reducing dose frequency and consequently, RIF-induced hepatotoxicity.