Hepatoprotective effects of silymarin against diclofenac-induced liver toxicity in male rats based on biochemical parameters and histological study

Abstract

Diclofenac (DIC) is a phenyl acetic acid derivative which is well known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory. In our study, the rats were divided into four groups. Group 1, control group; Group 2 received DIC-only; Groups 3 and 4 received DIC plus silymarin. The results showed that levels of CAT, SOD, GPx and GSH significantly reduced and levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, nitrite content, MDA, serum TNF-α and TNF-α gene expression were significantly elevated in second group compared to control group. In other hand, treatment with silymarin resulted in a significant elevation in CAT, SOD, GPx, GSH and a significant reduction in MDA, ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, nitrite content, serum TNF-α, and gene expression of TNF-α in comparison with second group. Histopathological injuries were also improved by silymarin administration. The results confirm that silymarin has a protective effect on DIC-induced liver toxicity and oxidative stress in male rats.

Keywords:

• Oxidative stress
• silymarin
• TNF-α
• diclofenac
• liver toxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to those who have helped in Clinical Biochemistry Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences especially Mr Hossein Omidi-Ardali.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no competing interests exist.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran [Grant no. 2640].