Cardioprotective and Hepatoprotective Potential of Silymarin in Paracetamol-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Okiljević, Bogdan; Martić, Nikola; Govedarica, Srđan; Andrejić Višnjić, Bojana; Bosanac, Milana; Baljak, Jovan; Pavlić, Branimir; Milanović, Isidora; Rašković, Aleksandar

Silymarin, derived from Silybum marianum, has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. In this study, the cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of silymarin against paracetamol-induced oxidative stress were examined in 28 male Swiss Webster mice, divided into four groups and treated for 7 days (via the oral route) with (a) saline 1 mL/kg (control group), (b) saline 1 mL/kg single dose of paracetamol 110 mg/kg on the 7th day; (c) silymarin 50 mg/kg; and (d) silymarin 50 mg/kg single dose of paracetamol 110 mg/kg on the 7th day. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity together with liver enzyme activity were evaluated. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment was performed. Silymarin mitigated paracetamol-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation and restoring antioxidant enzyme activity. Silymarin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzyme levels. Reduced necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissues of silymarin-treated groups were detected as well. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reduced expression of inflammatory markers (COX2, iNOS) and oxidative stress marker (SOD2) in the liver tissues of the silymarin-treated groups. Similar trends were observed in cardiac tissue. These results suggest that silymarin exerts potent hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects against paracetamol-induced oxidative stress, making it a promising therapeutic agent for liver and heart diseases associated with oxidative damage.

SILYMARIN; OXIDATIVE stress; MILK thistle; LIVER enzymes; LABORATORY mice; LIPIDS

Pharmaceutics, 2024, Vol 16, Issue 4, p520

1999-4923

Academic Journal

10.3390/pharmaceutics16040520