Silymarin as a therapeutic extract for intestinal and splenic injuries induced by microcystin-LR in mice

Abstract

IntroductionMicrocystin-LR is a toxic compound produced by Cyanobacteria and responsible for to destruction of different types of human and animal tissues. These damages are treated by different flavonoids such as silymarin. Silymarin is a Silybum marianum extract that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer functions. Materials and methodsSixty male Balb/c mice 5–7 weeks-old classified into six groups; control (C), two toxin control groups (M6 and M12), silymarin control group (S) and two toxin silymarin groups SM6 and SM12. Blood samples were collected from each mousefor serum transaminases measurement. Intestinal and splenic homogenates were used for measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl derivative oxidation (CC), lipid peroxidants (LPO) and methylglyoxal (MG). ResultsTransaminases showed significant statistical differences between all six groups. Moreover, significant statistical differences were observed in PPI, GSH, LPO, CC and MG between six groups in Intestinal tissue. On splenic tissue, significant statistical differences were observed only in PPI and CC. ConclusionSilymarin has an antioxidant by induction of protein phosphatase I activity and increases reduced glutathione in microcystin-LR induced intestinal and splenic injuries.