Role of Silymarin in Restoring the Deleterious Effects induced by Dexamethasone in Male Rats

Abstract

Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Silymarin on deleterious effects of dexamethasone on hepatic and renal functions tests, hematological parameters and histopathological changes of some organs in male rats. Twenty four mature male rats were used and divided equally into 4 groups .The first group was daily administered with distilled water (2ml/kg. b.wt) orally by stomach tube and saline (2ml/kg. b.wt) i/m twice weekly with 72 hrs interval .The second group was daily administered with silymarin ( 50mg/kg b.wt.), given orally by stomach tube. The third group was treated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.25mg/kg. b.wt) intramuscularly twice weekly with 72 hrs interval .The fourth group was treated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate by the same dose concomitantly with daily administration of silymarin .The treatment was done for one month .The obtained results showed that i.m. injection of dexamethasone induced a significant (P≤ 0.05) increase in serum levels of alanine amino transfers (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ,triglycerides , malondaldahyde (MDA), urea and creatinine .While, it induced a significant (P≤ 0.05) decrease in serum total protein , globulin values, total cholesterol, total antioxidant capacity ,Red blood corpuscles count (RBCs ), white blood cell count (WBCs), packed cell volume (PCV%) , also, it induced eosinopenia ,lymphocytopenia and neutrophilia .Moreover, dexamethasone induced histopathological changes on liver , kidney , spleen and lymph node . While, administration of silymarin concomitantly with dexamethasone induced marked improvement in all previous biochemical and hematogical parameters induced by dexamethasone in male albino rats. It could be concluded that dexamethasone induced hazard effects on blood picture, hepatic and renal function testes .While, silymarin could be successed to ameliorate these effects in male albino rats.