Therapeutic Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L) Seeds on Carbon Tetrachloride - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The current research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L) seeds (MTS) powder compared with hepaticum drug on carbon- tetrachloride (CCl4) caused hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty six female albino rats weighting 140±20g were divided into 6 groups. The 1st group was fed on basal diet as the negative control group (G1), while the other five groups were injected by CCl4 (i.p). The 2nd group was the positive control group (G2). Groups from 3rd to 5th were fed on basal diet contain different ratio of MTS powder 1, 2 and 3 %,respectively. While, the last group (G6) was fed on basal diet contain the hepaticum drug. Liver weight, relative liver weight to the body weight (L/B %), serum liver enzymes activity, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, kidney function, serum lipid profile and histopathological examination were determined. All data were statistically analyzed and the results showed that, milk thistle seeds are rich in protein, fat and fiber. Also, its oil rich in fatty acids as linoleic acid (55.12% ), oleic acid (21.78%) and palmitic acid (8.80%). Feeding hepatotoxic rats with 3 % of MTS and drug caused a significant (P ≤0.05) increase in liver weight compared to the positive control group. While, there was no significant differences (P 0.05) between the positive control group and therapeutic groups for L/B %. On the other hand, adding 1, 2 and 3% of MTS to standard diet caused a significant decrease (P ≤0.05) in ALT and AST enzymes activities level compared to the positive control group. Also, feeding hepatotoxic rats on 1, 2 and 3% of MTS and drug caused a significant (P ≤0.05) decrease in serum urea and creatinine levels. So, by increasing the levels of adding MTS powder (2 and 3%) to standard diet caused a significant improvement in liver function and histopathological examination.