Effect of Silymarin versus Silymarin and Green Coffee Extract on Thioacetamide Induced Liver Injury in Adult Male Albino Rats (Histological and Immunohistochemical Study)

Abstract

Background: Thioacetamide (TAA) is a potent hepatotoxic agent used to induce liver toxicity in experimental animal models. Protective role of silymarin in liver intoxication was proved. Coffee is the most popular beverage used in the world. Consumption of green coffee bean extract has many benefits on health in general, and liver in particular. Aim of work: To evaluate the potential role of adding green coffee extract to silymarin in improving thioacetamide induced hepatic injury in rats. Materials and methods: Thirty six albino rats were divided into 4 groups; group I (control group), group II (thioacetamide group), group III (Silymarin group) and Group IV (Silymarin and green coffee extract group). Biochemical analysis for liver function, antioxidant enzyme assay were performed. Liver sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome stains and immunohistochemical expression for caspase-3. Morphometric and statistical analysis were done. Results: Liver functions of group II showed significant deterioration which slightly improved in group III and tend to be normal in group IV. Antioxidant enzyme levels of groupII and group III were significantly lower than that of group I; group III and group IV levels were significantly higher than that of group II. Liver sections of group II showed massive dilated congested portal vein, bile duct proliferation, and mononuclear cellular infiltrates. Group III showed slightly dilated congested portal vein in some areas while appeared normal in other areas. In group IV portal area appeared almostly normal. Marked increased collagen deposition was detected in group II, decreased in group III and markedly decreased in group IV. Immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 was increased in group II, lower in group III and significantly low in group IV. In conclusion: Adding green coffee extract to silymarin potentiate the therapeutic effect of silymarin in improving experimentally induced hepatic injury by thioacetamide in rats.

Green coffee methanolic extract and silymarin protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in albino male rats

“…One interesting observation in this study is that the consumption of green coffee methanol extract escorted by silymarin had a protective effect on oxidative stress (MDA(and antioxidant redox system. Also, our results showed that consumption of green coffee methanolic extract accompanied by silymarin causes a suppressive effect on oxidative stress and confirmed the findings of other authors showing the antioxidant power of green coffee [ 21 , 22 , 29 ]. Furthermore, oxidative DNA damage was decreased; and glutathione level and glutathione reductase activities were increased after consumption of green coffee [ 29 , 46 ].…”

“…The histopathology of the liver of the CCl 4 -induced hepatic toxicity group (G2) showed injured hepatic tissues that led to the significant elevation of these liver function parameters in serum. Also, the total protein (TP) level was reduced in the CCl 4 rats showing the pulverization in the quantity of hepatic cells, which may result in a diminished hepatic ability to synthesize proteins [ 6 , 7 , 29 ]. Whereas the administration of the green coffee methanolic extract, silymarin, or their combination significantly and advantageously improved serum levels of these liver function parameters approaching them to the negative control group levels.…”

“…The disturbance in the metabolism of phospholipids and protein synthesis may be engaged with irregular lipoprotein levels [ 8 ]. In the current study, the green coffee methanolic extract accompanied by silymarin significantly increased HDL levels and decreased levels of cholesterol, TG and LDL [ 29 ]. This result was in agreement with that of Yukawa et al [ 40 ] who stated that consumption of 24 g coffee/day, for 1 week, reduces serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, while it was not in accordance with that of McAnlis et al [ 41 ],who reported that coffee does not affect serum lipids.…”

“…It is also worth mentioning that our study is a novel one concentrating on testing the protective activity of the green coffee methanolic extract, silymarin and their combination on oxidative stress. Abdelaal et al [ 29 ] studied the effect of silymarin and green coffee on the histological and immunohistochemical changes resulting from thioacetamide-induced liver toxicity. In our study, we measured highly specific biochemical parameters, such as lipid peroxidation, IL-6, kidney function parameters, liver function enzymes, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, irisin, antioxidants, CYP450 and high-density lipoprotein levels to evaluate liver CCl 4 -induced toxicity and its alleviation after green coffee and silymarin supplementation.…”

“…Recently, Abdelaal et al [ 29 ] compared the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin and green coffee extract against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity on the histological and immunohistochemical levels in rats. However, the therapeutic efficiency of these two natural antioxidants, whether supplemented alone or in combination, against CCl 4 -induced liver oxidative damage in rats has not been previously evaluated.…”