Background: Ibuprofen is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is extensively used to reduce pain and lessen inflammation nevertheless, its extended usage probably leads to hepatotoxic consequences. One of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril possesses hepatoprotective qualities and is frequently used to lower blood pressure and safeguard the heart.

Aim of the work: To assess captopril's ability to protect the adult male albino rats against ibuprofen-induced hepatotoxicity.

Material and methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used. The rats were separated randomly into four groups with ten animals in each group; group 1 had standard food and distilled water only, group 2 received captopril only, group 3 received ibuprofen only and group 4 received ibuprofen and captopril daily for continuous 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all animals had their livers and blood samples taken for biochemical and histological analysis.

Results: Ibuprofen administration caused hepatotoxic changes in the form of biochemical and histological findings. The biochemical effects of ibuprofen were elevated serum levels of liver enzymes with disturbed liver oxidant/antioxidant status as was indicated by elevated malondialdehyde and decreased glutathione levels in the liver tissue. The histological findings were in the form of disturbed liver architecture, degenerative changes affecting the liver cells and excessive fibrosis. The concurrent captopril administration significantly ameliorated all the ibuprofen-induced hepatotoxic effects.

Conclusion: Captopril provides an efficient protective role against the ibuprofen-induced hepatotoxicity hence, it is helpful to be prescribed in the high risk persons.

Keywords:

Hepatotoxicity, Captopril, Ibuprofen, Rats.