Abstract
The aim of the current examination was scrutinizing the possible ameliorative impacts of silymarin against adverse effects and hepatotoxicity induced by lead toxicity in rats. Giving a daily basis dose of lead acetate (4mg/kg B.WT/day/8 weeks) to rats caused oxidative liver injury which was shown by the increase in serum levels of hepatic markers enzymes (transaminases and gamma glutamyl transferase), inflammatory factors (tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) and the level of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) with marked severe damage in the histopathology of liver tissues compared with control rats. Also, lead significantly reduced the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione content (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and catalase (CAT). While, the treatment of rats with lead along with silymarin (50mg/kg/day/8weeks) induced a significant decrease in the activity of liver enzymes, the level of TNF-alpha and IL-6 with enhancing the antioxidant status and reducing lipid peroxidation, as well silymarin treatment significantly reduced the severe damage and necrosis of liver tissues induced by lead. The results concluded that silymarin ameliorated the toxic effects of lead to a major extent, suggesting the probability of using silymarin as a powerful natural extract that can protect against liver injury. Copyright (C) 2013 - All Rights Reserved - Pharmacophore