Physiological Studies On The Efficacy Of Silymarin As Antioxidant Against The Disorders In Some Blood Constituents Induced By Irradiation In Female Rats.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Dept., Faculty of Science, Helwan University

2 Radiation Biology Dept., National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), P.O. Box 29 Nasr City, Cairo.

Abstract

This work was directed to evaluate the possible role of silymarin (a flavonoid used as antihepatoxic agent) as a prophylactic agent confronting radiation hazard. Eighty female albino rats were selected at the estrous stage and divided into four groups (G1 - G4): 1- Control. 2- Whole body γ-irradiated group with two doses 1 Gy and 6 Gy. 3- Silymarin orally administered group (10 mg / 100 g b. wt., twice daily for one week with the last dose 2 hours before blood sampling). 4- Silymarin administered as G3 then rats were irradiated after 2 hours. Blood samples were taken at 2 hours, 2 days and 2 weeks after the last silymarin dose (G3) or irradiation (G2 and G4). Irradiation induced significant declines in RBCs and WBCs count, Hg content and Hct % denoting a deleterious effect in a dose and time dependent manner. Yet, it produced high levels of plasma malondialdehyde, as the end product of lipid peroxidation, concomitant with reduced levels of blood glutathione indicating a depression in the antioxidant system. Dramatic increments in the plasma indices of liver (ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase) and kidney (urea, uric acid and creatinine) functions were also recorded depicting a liver and kidney impairment state. Silymarin manifested good amelioration in the radiation-induced changes in the studied parameters. Hence, it could be concluded that silymarin plays a beneficial radioprotective role against radiation hazard in female rats which serves a great sector of women working in radiation application fields or those undergoing radiotherapy.

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