Potential Ameliorative Role Of Silymarin Against Methyl Parathion-Induced Oxidative Stress And Hepato-Renal Toxicity In Albino Rats

Abstract

Methyl parathion (MP) (C8H10NO5PS) is an organophosphate insecticide that has been used in agriculturefor several years. The people who are at the greatest risk of being exposed to MP are farm workers,chemical sprayers, and people who work in factories handling MP. The main route of human exposureis inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. The present workwas planned to study the toxic effects of MP on some antioxidative markers as well as the liver and kidney.The influence of silymarin (Sily) on MP induced toxicity has not been studied, So, the possible protectiveeffect of (Sily) had been also evaluated. The study was conducted on one hundred male albino ratsdivided into five main equal groups and each of them were subdivided equally into two subgroups.Group-I (A&B), control group: received no treatment, group-II (A&B): vehicle group (1 ml/kg/day ofcorn oil, P.O.), group-III (A&B): Sily group (100 mg/kg/day, P.O.), group-IV (A&B): MP group (0.28mg/kg/day, P.O.), group-V (A&B): Sily+MP. At the end of 4th and 8th weeks, blood samples, renal andhepatic tissues were collected for biochemical and histological examinations. Biomarkers selected for oxidativestress were antioxidant defense system superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione(GSH) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, liver profile (AST, ALT, and ALP) and kidneyprofile (Blood urea and creatinine) were assessed. Also, histological examination of liver and kidney wasdone. The results showed that administration of MP resulted in oxidative stress as evidenced by significantdecrease in SOD activity and GSH levels accompanied with significant increase in MDA levels. Atthe same time, there was hepato-nephrotoxicity as manifested by significant increase in liver and kidneyfunction tests when compared with control rats. Comparing with MP-treated rats, Sily supplementation tothe rats, 30 minutes before MP administration, resulted in a significant increase in SOD activity and GSHlevels. However, MDA levels, liver and kidney enzymes showed significant decrease. The histopathologicalresults confirmed the biochemical results. In conclusion, the obtained biochemical and histologicalresults of this study revealed hepatic and renal toxic effects induced by MP in a time-dependent manner.Sily supplementation resulted in a remarkable protective effect against MP-induced oxidative stress andhepato-renal toxicity.