A Comparative Study On Liver Toxicity Profile Of Diclofenac Sodium and Piroxicam on Rabbits

Abstract

Objective: Aim of this study was to determine the clinical hepatotoxicity of diclofenac sodium and of piroxicam, 
and to evaluate whether these drugs could elicit liver cell destruction and anemia, and which drug is comparatively 
safer for prolong use. 
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the department of Pharmacology, Faculty of pharmacy, 
University of Karachi, Karachi. Duration of study was 30 days. 
Materials and Methods: Male 40 rabbits were equally divided into 4 groups, group A was served as control and the 
group B & C was diclofenac sodium (0.8mg/kg/day and 1.5mg/kg/day), and group D was of piroxicam (0.31 
mg/kg/day) treated. All the animals were caged in pair in an iron caged with free access to grass and hay of standard 
diet and tap water for a period of 30 days. Diclofenac sodium in 2 different doses 0.8mg/kg/day, 1.5mg/kg/day and 
similarly Piroxicam (0.31mg/kg/day) dissolved in drinking water and was given orally for a period of 30 days. 
Control rabbits were given tap water. At the end of 30 days blood was collected through cardiac puncture from each 
rabbit and was analyzed to determine the levels of SGOT, SGPT, Bilirubin, ESR and Erythrocyte count. 
Result: It was found that these drugs can induce severe hepatic damage but the ratio of liver toxicity is different, as 
evident by the elevation of serum aminotransferases, bilirubin and changes in hematological profile. The 
experimental results suggest that SGOT and SGPT levels were significantly increased in diclofenac sodium treated 
rabbits after 10 and 30 days (P < 0.01), while  piroxicam treated rabbits showed significant result, (P < 0.05) only 
after 30 days of treatment. 
The level of bilirubin was significantly increased in diclofenac sodium treated rabbits after 10 days and 30 days (P < 
0.01) and piroxicam also showed significant result (P < 0.05) after 30 days treatment. Erythrocyte count decreased 
in both control and treated rabbits after 10 days but control results are not significant. After 30 days diclofenac 
sodium showed highly significant decrease in count of erythrocytes (P < 0.01), but piroxicam showed less 
significant results (P < 0.05). E.S.R values significantly increased in diclofenac sodium and piroxicam treated 
rabbits after 10 days and 30 days. 
Conclusion: It can be concluded that diclofenac sodium and piroxicam both can play a role in inducing 
hepatocelllualr damage, but a greater increase in liver toxicity was seen in diclofenac sodium treated rabbits rather 
than piroxicam treated rabbits.