Abstract

EFFECT OF SILYMARIN ON CADMIUM INDUCED TOXICITY IN RATS

Siva K., Ramnath V. and Jeyaprakash K.*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cadmium is an environmental pollutant that affects various organs in humans and experimental animals especially by inducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders. As a result, there is an enormous demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. Silymarin is extracted from the herb milk thistle, is widely known as antioxidant, hepato protective and anti-carcinogenic. Objective: The aim of this present study is to assess the efficacy of silymarin as a hepato protective and antioxidant against cadmium induced oxidative damage in the liver of rats. Methods: In an experimental study, 24 male Albino rats were divided into four equal groups as follows: Group A: The Control group (normal water), Group B: Cadmium treated (10mg/kg/ 30 days, orally), Group C: Silymarin treated (40mg/Kg/ 30 days, orally), Group D Cadmium plus Silymarin (10mg/kg +40mg/kg 30 days, orally). The lipid peroxidation, (TBARS – Thiobarbituric acid) and antioxidant status (Super oxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced Glutathione (GSH)) were evaluated for the control and experimental rat’s liver tissue. Results: The result of this study specify that after the oral administration of cadmium, there is a significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) and decrease in the level of antioxidant enzymes, like SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH in liver when compared to normal Control. Oral administration of Silymarin significantly reduced the level of lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) and also restored the antioxidant defence in the liver when compared to cadmium treated rats. Conclusion: The result from the present study indicates that Silymarin exhibited a remarkable protective effect against cadmium induced oxidative hepatic injury in rats.

Keywords: Cadmium chloride, Silymarin, Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress.