Comparative study on the protective effects of Silybum marianum L. seeds and leaves against nickel chloride induced anemia, liver and kidney injury: an in vivo and in silico approach

While nickel is required in trace amounts for human health, excessive exposure can be harmful. It can cause significant damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs, depending on the route of exposure. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of the Silybum marianum L. seeds and leaves on the liver and kidneys as well as blood parameters. The purpose is to examine whether a one-month dietary supplementation with Silybum marianum L. seeds and leaves could prevent and prepare the body to resist nickel-induced damage. Seed and leaf extracts were administered orally to albino rats for one month. The rats were then exposed intraperitoneally to nickel chloride NiCl 2 for 10 days. Hematological and biochemical parameters as well as biomarkers for oxidative stress were measured in this investigation. Injection of Nickel-chloride showed significant alterations along the period of exposure. Seed extract exerted a marked protective effect on the biochemical, hematological, and oxidative stress parameters. In contrast, the leaf extract showed only partial protection for some parameters, while other parameters showed no significant protection, which highlights the differences in efficacy among plant parts. These results were supported by histological analysis which demonstrated that exposure to NiCl 2 resulted in notable renal and hepatic lesions, such as hydropic degeneration, necrosis, sinusoidal congestion, and tubular damage. Seed extract has completely prevented these alterations, whereas leaf extract has conferred only partial protection. Molecular docking analysis confirms that Silybin predominantly modulates AMPK and that Silydianin preferentially engages SIRT1, whereas Silychristin exhibits a dual-target modulatory activity.