Anti-oxidant effect of silymarin against DDT-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing for initiation and propagation of renal damage induced by several chemicals such as DDT. Silymarin, the dried extract of the ripe seeds of the plant Silybum marianum is found to be a powerful protective agent against toxin-induced tissue injury in many organs especially the liver by its antioxidant property; accordingly, the intended property needs to be clarified in other organ subjected to toxic chemicals.Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effect of silymarin on the status of oxidative stress by measuring the levels of (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in renal tissue in addition to assessment of the serum levels of urea and creatinine and examination of possible histological renal changes induced in rats by a toxic dose of DDT.Methods: White albino rats were administered a single oral dose of DDT (100mg/kg) to induce renal toxicity. Silymarin was orally administered twice daily dose (500 mg/kg) for 7-days prior to DDT administration, then the animals were sacrificed 24-hours after DDT-treatment. The parameters of oxidative stress, MDA contents and GSH levels were measured in renal tissue homogenate. Blood was collected for measuring serum urea and creatinine levels, in addition to the histological examination of the kidneys. Results: Treatment of rats with silymarin for 7-days prior to DDT administration caused a significant reduction in the contents of the lipid peroxidation end product, MDA down to (61%) with the increasing in the levels of GSH levels up to (82%) in renal tissue homogenate compared to DDT-treated animals. Furthermore, silymarin was able to counteract significantly the elevation in the levels of serum urea and creatinine by about 38% and 34%, respectively compared to DDT-treated rats. Sections of rats' kidney treated with silymarin 7 days prior to DDT administration, elicited improvement in the histopathological changes induced by DDT characterized by inhibition of cloudy swelling, inflammation and necrosis. Conclusion: According to the results obtained from this study, it is conclude that silymarin have antioxidant property through direct and/or indirect mechanism that provide protective effects against DDT-induced nephrotoxicity, and makes it a good candidate to be tried clinically in this respect.