The Effect of Silymarin on the Ultra Structural of the Photoreceptor Layer in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

In present study silymarin was tested against damage of photoreceptor layer in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen adult male wistar rats divided into three groups of five rats each. Diabetes was induced in two groups of rats following injecting them with 90mg/kg streptozotocin for single dose. One group kept as control and silymarin in the dose of 500mg/kg was administered orally to one diabetic group for three months. Damage of photoreceptor layer in the rats was observed by transmission electron microscope. Results indicated that in silymarin treated diabetic group damage of photoreceptor layer were decrease compare with diabetic group. Damage of photoreceptor layer in diabetic group contains of outer segment loss, scattered inner segment, mitochondria loss and pyknotic nuclei in outer nuclear layer. Administration of silymarin to diabetic rats showed beneficial effect of prevention of damage of photoreceptor layer.