ABSTRACT
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, various medications have been employed to treat infected patients. This research work seeks to compile data on the adverse effects associated with majority of the drugs used in this context. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adverse effect of anti-COVID-19 drugs on the liver of adult Wistar rat following cytochrome P450 induction. This thesis is focused on studying the potential liver damage that may occur due to the use of antiCOVID-19 medications, particularly in relation to their interaction with Cytochrome P450 enzyme inducer (phenobarbital). Research syntheses were identify by searching PubMed (including LITCOVID) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Other search engines such as Google scholar, Sciencedirect were also employed, relevant articles and scientific journals, magazines and reviews were also sorted. For the experimental design, sixty-six (66) adult Wistar rats were randomly selected into eleven groups namely: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K representing the azithromycin, chloroquine, control, first drug combination group (chloroquine, ivermectin L/R, azithromycin and Z/S), second drug combination group (hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin L/R, azithromycin and Z/S), hydroxychloroquine,, lopinavir/ritonavir, third drug combination group (ivermectin L/R, azithromycin and Z/S), phenobarbital, and zinc/selenium. Each group consist of six (6) rats which were weighed and labelled before experimentation. Calculated therapeutic doses were administered to each groups while the control group were administered distilled water throughout the duration of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for liver function tests. Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 27 and difference between between groups were determined using the paired T-test and ANOVA. The result of this study showed a significant increase (p<0.005) of alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities in groups B and F. A significant decrease (P>0.005) in alkaline phosphatase activity in group J. A significant decrease (p>0.05) in direct bilirubin and albumin levels in group C. A significant increase in weight post treatment in group A, B, F, G, H, and I, with F, H and I exhibiting the most substantial weight gain. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated in this study that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine elevate liver enzymes and liver proteins, while phenobarbital reduces alkaline phosphatase activity.
