Potential Protective Effects of Silybum marianum Ethanolic Extract Against Thiobencarb-Induced Hepatotoxicity in White Albino Rats

The seed extracts of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) are commonly known in traditional medicine as cleansers of the liver. However, its potency in preventing or reducing pesticide hepatotoxicity has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of seeds of S. marianum (ESM) against thiobencarb (TBC)-induced toxicity in males of white albino rats. The animals were grouped and orally received repetitive sublethal doses of TBC (1/20 LD50; 51.65 mg/kg b. w) and ESM (8 mg/kg b. w) for 28 days. Results showed that TBC increased the lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein), antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione reductase), and malonaldehyde and glutathione contents in serum samples. Also, the results of TBC treatment showed alterations in the histopathology of hepatocytes and positive expression of the apoptotic proteins including caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In contrast, the ESM treatment counteracted the adverse effects of TBC in rats to control levels. This ameliorative action of ESM might be attributed to its role in enhancing the antioxidant scavenging activity and avoiding apoptosis of the hepatocytes.