Comparing the protective effects of L-carnitine and Silybum marianum aqueous extract after diazinon-induced hepatotoxicity in male rat liver

Diazinon (DZN), as an organophosphorus pesticide, induces oxidative stress leading to the generation of free radicals, and causes some pathological changes in the body. The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Silybum marianum aqueous extract (SMAE) against DZN-induced hepatotoxicity in male rat liver. Rats were assigned in 9 groups and were subjected to different combinations of DZN, SMAE, and LC. Thirty days after the treatment by oral gavage, blood samples were taken and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) were measured using photometric method. The liver samples were also evaluated histopathologically. The DZN treatment significantly increased the AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels (p 0.05) and conversely decreased the Alb and TP levels (p 0.05). Moreover, administration of the DZN resulted in lymphocytic inflammation, congestion, hepatocytes apoptosis, and lesser sinusoidal space. However, administration of SMAE and LC along with DZN treatment stabilized the ALT, ALP, GGT, Alb and TP levels (p 0.05), but increased the AST levels significantly compared to the control (p 0.05). Besides that, lesser structural alterations and improvement in the liver tissue were observed. These findings suggest that co-administration of SMAE and LC could reduce DZN-induced hepatic tissue damages and improve the hepatic biochemical parameters in male rats.