Silymarin's Defensive Role Against Hepatotoxicity induced By Amiodarone In Albino Rats

Abstract

Amiodarone (AMD), an orally powerful antidysrhythmic medication that has caused hepatotoxicity on long-term administration, is commonly used across the world. Silymarin ameliorative effects (SLM); this research elucidated the magnitude of the damage to the liver tissue in AMD. We divided 24 albino rats evenly into four groups given daily doses by gastric tube for eight weeks as follows; the 1 st group acted as a control group; the 2 nd group received SLM; the 3 rd group received AMD; and the 4 th group received AMD parallel to SLM. Liver tissues prepared for light, electron microscopic and serum samples screened for biomarkers (I)liver injury enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST); (II) oxidative and antioxidant stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD); and (III) inflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6). The findings showed that AMD caused hepatic histological changes that included congestion of the blood vessels, leucocytic infiltration and cytoplasmic vacuolation. Ultrastructural degeneration of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum swelling, nuclear pyknosis and increased fat droplets and lysosomes were observed. The biochemical findings showed an increase in the AMD group's ALT and AST activities. The group of rats treated with AMD and SLM, increased the improvements in histology and ultrastructure, while the ALT and AST levels were reduced. Our findings collectively agreed that SLM has a protective impact on AMD hepatotoxicity which can be due to its antioxidant properties.

Improved Solubility and Activity of Natural Product in Nanohydrogel

“…Emodin is hampered by low percutaneous permeability, affecting its absorption. Silymarin encounters issues due to its low solubility [24], and approximately 80% is excreted through the bile system after undergoing processes like glucuronidation and sulfation [25]. Lastly, naringenin is highly susceptible to degradation when exposed to light, heat, oxygen, or stomach acid [26].…”

“…Table 2 is data of comparison of IC 50 phytochemical compounds with nanohydrogels. These data were adapted with permission from Eid et al (2021) and Subhash et al (2021)[24,34].…”