Milk Thistle ( <i>Silybum marianum</i> L.) Nanoparticles Exhibited Protective Effects on Cisplatin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Experimental Rats

Objective To investigate whether silymarin formulated as nanoparticles could protect against cisplatin-induced myocardial injury in a rat model. Material &amp; Methods Silymarin nanoparticles were prepared from Silybum marianum (milk thistle) extract via a Tween 60-stabilised nanoprecipitation method, yielding water-soluble, highly stable particles. Male albino Wistar rats were subjected to a cisplatin-induced myocardial infarction model through intermittent subcutaneous injections of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) and subsequently received oral silymarin nanoparticle treatment for 15 days. Cardioprotection was evaluated by measuring serum cardiac marker enzymes, namely total creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, troponin I, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes, along with lipid peroxidation products in plasma and heart tissue. Histopathological examination of myocardial tissue was also performed. Results Cisplatin alone caused marked myocardial damage, evidenced by significantly elevated cardiac enzyme activities and increased lipid peroxidation markers (P&lt;0.05). Treatment with silymarin nanoparticles attenuated these biochemical abnormalities and was associated with corresponding histopathological improvements in myocardial tissue. Conclusion Silymarin nanoparticles exert a protective effect against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in myocardium, suggesting their potential as a cardioprotective adjunct during cisplatin-based chemotherapy.