The effect of silymarin on liver injury induced by Thioacetamide in rats

Introduction: in this study the protective effects of silymarin was investigated against thioacetamide (taa) induced hepatotoxicity in rat.methods: in an experimental study 24 male wistar rats were designated in four equal groups as follows: control group, the group treated with thioacetamide (taa), silymarin (400 mg/kg for 3 weeks) + taa (400 mg/kg), taa (400 mg/kg) + silymarin (400 mg/kg for 3 weeks). the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (ast), alanine transaminase (alt), alkaline phosphatase (alp) lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) and total bilirubin were measured to assess the hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection.results: taa significantly increased ast, alt, alp, ldh and bilirubin. treatment by silymarin caused a significant reduction in serum levels of ast, alt, alp, ldh and bilirubin contents.conclusion: the results indicate a protective effect for silymarin against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity which might be due to its ability to block the bioactivity of thioacetamide.