The Effect of Silymarin in Milk Thistle on Lipid Profile, Liver Enzymes and Inflammatory Cytokines in the Blood of Male Wistar Rats

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Hoda Jahangiri ¹ , Parichehreh Yaghmaei ² , Azade Ebrahim Habibi ³ , Shahrbanoo Oryan ⁴

1 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1411713137, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-12-31 Accepted : 2025-04-13 Published : 2025-06-18

Keywords: Milk thistle, Alpha-amylase, Cytokine, Liver enzymes, Lipid profile, Silybum marianum.,

Abstract :

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and in the treatment of chronic liver and inflammatory diseases that grows in the Mediterranean region. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silymarin in milk thistle on lipid profile, liver enzymes, and inflammatory cytokines in the blood of male Wistar rats. First, 16 adult rats with an average weight of 180-200 grams were selected and treated with silymarin and accumulated alpha-amylase. Then, by comparing with the control sample, the profile of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and also, inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with kits specificity and ELISA method were assessed. Data analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests by the SPSS software. Based on the results, the group treated with silymarin dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide and agglomerated alpha-amylase showed a significant reduction effect on the level of inflammatory cytokines, liver enzymes, LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol and also a significant increase in HDL in the blood, compared to other groups. It is concluded that silymarin can potentially protect the liver by modulating the level of liver enzymes. By reducing the lipid profile and inflammatory factors in the blood, it plays an important role in reducing diseases related to the liver, cardiovascular, and immune system, further research should determines the optimal doses and areas and the individual characteristics of the patient and underlying diseases.

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