Effects of Silymarin, a Natural Hepatoprotector, in Periparturient Dairy Cows

Abstract

Silymarin, a natural acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases, has been tested in dairy cows during peripartum, a period during which animals are subject to subclinical fatty liver. Ten grams of silymarin (76% pure extract consisting in flavonolignans, taxifolin, and other trace compounds) per day, was administered as a water suspension by an oral drench to 15 cows from d 10 before expected calving to 15 d after calving. Milk production was measured, and colostrum, milk, and blood samples were analyzed during the experimental period. Treated animals showed the peak of milk production at 55 +/- 1.85 d after calving, 1 wk before the control group (62 +/- 3.27 d); the average peak production was 41.6 +/- 1.05 kg for the treated group vs. 39.1 +/- 1.44 kg for the control; the treated animals maintained a greater milk production than control cows throughout lactation (9922.1 +/- 215.7 vs. 9597.8 +/- 225.4 kg). Milk composition was unaffected by treatment. No silymarin residues were detected in colostrum and all milk samples. After calving, body condition score (BCS) decrease was greater for control compared with treated cows. Glucose, urea, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, beta-hydroxibutyrate (BHBA), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in plasma were unaffected by treatment. Plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) on d-7 were higher in treated cows compared with the control group (741 vs. 181 micromol/L). From this evidence, it is possible to conclude that silymarin beneficially affected lactation performances and body condition of treated animals. Blood and milk parameters do not indicate any adverse effects of feeding this natural compound.

Rumen degradability and whole tract digestibility of flavonolignans from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) fruit expeller in dairy cows

“…No effect of silymarin on the milk composition was observed in our study (data not presented). This is in agreement with findings of Tedesco et al (2002Tedesco et al ( , 2003Tedesco et al ( , 2004b. Changes in plasma parameters after silymarin supplementation were inconsistent.…”

“…Similar findings were reported by Tedesco et al (2003). On the other hand, in their later study Tedesco et al (2004b) reported higher milk yield at the beginning of lactation in cows receiving 10 g of silymarin daily during the periparturient period. Vojtíšek et al (1991) also noted higher milk yield in ketotic cows in early lactation treated with 300 g/day of milk thistle meal.…”

“…Vojtíšek et al (1991) also noted higher milk yield in ketotic cows in early lactation treated with 300 g/day of milk thistle meal. Although all abovementioned trials, including our experiment, were the short-term ones (9-25 days), it was possible to expect changes in milk yield in high-yielding cows at the beginning of lactation when the cows experienced a negative energy balance resulting in fatty liver (Tedesco et al, 2004b) or showed signs of clinical ketosis (Vojtíšek et al, 1991). No effect of silymarin on the milk composition was observed in our study (data not presented).…”

Metabolic evaluation of dairy cows submitted to three different strategies to decrease the effects of negative energy balance in early postpartum

“…However, the information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of such practice on the metabolic status of dairy cows is limited. Tedesco et al (2004) have shown the potential use of silimarina; i.e. human liver protector, in dairy cows during the transition period.…”

Mixed micelles loaded with silybin-polyene phosphatidylcholine complex improve drug solubility

“…Silybin, a flavolignane that represents approximately 60%-70% of silymarin, is an antioxidant isolated from the fruits of milk thistle, silybum marianum Gaertn. Interest in this agent has grown in recent years due to its wide array of beneficial pharmacological effects, including antioxidative, anti-lipid-peroxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and even liver regenerating effects [9][10][11] .…”