Protective Role of Vitamin C and Silymarin Against Olanzapine-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats: A Histopathological and Biochemical Study

Background: Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug for treating bipolar disorders and Schizophrenia. Regardless of being used as a common antipsychotic drug, there are reports of hepatic abnormalities caused by using Olanzapine. Silymarin and Vitamin C have been shown to have hepatoprotective effects. Objective: The purpose of the present was to study the hepatotoxic effects of Olanzapine and the hepatoprotective role of Silymarin and Vitamin C on the Liver of Albino rats. Methods: The study was conducted on 24 albino rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each: Group A consisted of six rats and served as the control group; Group B consisted of six rats who received orally 4mg/kg of Olanzapine daily; Group C consisted of six rats who received 4mg/kg of Olanzapine plus 200mg/kg of Silymarin daily and Group D consisted of six rats which received orally 4mg/kg of Olanzapine plus 15mg/kg of Vitamin C daily. The animals were sacrificed in two sittings at four and eight weeks, and tissues were processed by routine histopathological technique. The liver enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT) were calculated and analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA. Results: It was found that the liver of rats treated with Olanzapine showed sinusoidal dilatation, sinusoidal congestion, central venous congestion, central venous dilatation, cellular infiltration, and portal triaditis. The liver enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT) were markedly raised in the drug-treated rats, showing Olanzapine as a hepatotoxic agent. On the other hand, Silymarin and Vitamin C) both proved to show an excellent hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion: Olanzapine administration causes histopathological and biochemical abnormalities in the liver. Vitamin C and Silymarin are both potent hepatoprotective agents against Olanzapine-induced hepatic toxicity.