Abstract
As an organophosphorus, Diazinon (DZN) impairs liver tissue function by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and causing oxidative stress. In this study, the effects of <em>Silybum</em><em> marianum </em>aqueous extract (SMAE) and L-carnitine (LC) on the stereological and histopathological changes of the liver in DZN-treated male rats were investigated. The rats in this study were placed into 9 groups of 8 each containing control, placebo, and a combination of DZN, SMAE, and LC. The animals received SMAE and chemicals orally for 30 days. At last, the liver tissue of all animals was removed. Then, tissue sections from the liver were provided to study the stereological markers including liver volume and weight, hepatocytes’ volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, inflammation rate, and a number of the hepatocytes’ nuclei. Also, the sample tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Treatment with DZN significantly reduced the liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number compared to placebo and control but it significantly increased the inflammation and volume of liver’s connective tissue. However, co-administration of SMAE and LC with DZN improved liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number alone compared to the DZN treatment. Liver inflammation was also significantly decreased compared to the DZN treatment but comparing to the placebo and control groups, it increased significantly. Simultaneous administration of SMAE and LC has protective effects on liver tissue and can reduce DZN-induced liver injury in rats.
Highlights
Medicinal herbs are currently considered as a viable alternative to chemical drugs due to their ease of access, reduced side effects and reasonable prices (Karimi et al 2015)
The reports have suggested that silymarin may exert its effects on liver cells in three ways: 1) It binds to the membrane receptor of the liver cells that uptakes the toxins and modifies their phospholipid composition to prevent their uptake, 2) Because it is a potent antioxidant, it inhibits lipid peroxidation by preventing metabolism abnormalities, especially in liver cells, 3) By stimulating protein synthesis, it induces liver cell regeneration (Surai 2015)
Hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, and sinusoid volume and hepatocyte nucleus number (Figure 1A-1F) were significantly decreased in the DZN15 group compared to the control and placebo groups (P0.05)
Summary
Medicinal herbs are currently considered as a viable alternative to chemical drugs due to their ease of access, reduced side effects and reasonable prices (Karimi et al 2015). Most medicinal plants can prevent the damage caused by free radicals due to their antioxidant properties (Nasri 2013). Silybum marianum (SM) is one or two year old plant from Cichorium family that grows in warm climates. This plant is native to western and central Europe, northern India, and today grows in southern Europe, Africa, China and Australia, South America, and Asia and is widely distributed in Iran. The fruits of this plant contain a group of flavonoid compounds called silymarin. The reports have suggested that silymarin may exert its effects on liver cells in three ways: 1) It binds to the membrane receptor of the liver cells that uptakes the toxins and modifies their phospholipid composition to prevent their uptake, 2) Because it is a potent antioxidant, it inhibits lipid peroxidation by preventing metabolism abnormalities, especially in liver cells, 3) By stimulating protein synthesis, it induces liver cell regeneration (Surai 2015)
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