Protective effect of silymarin on oxidative stress in rat brain. 2007

C Nencini, and G Giorgi, and L Micheli
Department of Pharmacology Giorgio Segre, University of Siena, Italy.

Brain is susceptible to oxidative stress and it is associated with age-related brain dysfunction. Previously, we have pointed out a dramatic decrease of glutathione levels in the rat brain after acetaminophen (APAP) oral administration overdose. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of bioactive flavonolignans isolated from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., employed usually in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and as anti-hepatotoxic agent in humans. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of SM on enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant defensive systems in rat brain after APAP-induced damage. Male albino Wistar rats were treated with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for three days, or with APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) or with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for 3 days and APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) at third day. Successively the following parameters were measured: reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA), enzymatic activity variations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde levels (MDA). Our results showed a significant decrease of GSH levels, AA levels and SOD activity and an increase of MDA and GSSG levels after APAP administration. After SM administration GSH and AA significantly increase and SOD activity was significantly enhanced. In the SM+APAP group, GSH values significantly increase and the others parameters remained unchanged respect to control values. These results suggest that SM may to protect the SNC by oxidative damage for its ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and replenishing the GSH levels.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008517 Phytotherapy Use of plants or herbs to treat diseases or to alleviate pain. Herb Therapy,Herbal Therapy
D010936 Plant Extracts Concentrated pharmaceutical preparations of plants obtained by removing active constituents with a suitable solvent, which is evaporated away, and adjusting the residue to a prescribed standard. Herbal Medicines,Plant Extract,Extract, Plant,Extracts, Plant,Medicines, Herbal
D001927 Brain Diseases Pathologic conditions affecting the BRAIN, which is composed of the intracranial components of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. This includes (but is not limited to) the CEREBRAL CORTEX; intracranial white matter; BASAL GANGLIA; THALAMUS; HYPOTHALAMUS; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM. Intracranial Central Nervous System Disorders,Brain Disorders,CNS Disorders, Intracranial,Central Nervous System Disorders, Intracranial,Central Nervous System Intracranial Disorders,Encephalon Diseases,Encephalopathy,Intracranial CNS Disorders,Brain Disease,Brain Disorder,CNS Disorder, Intracranial,Encephalon Disease,Encephalopathies,Intracranial CNS Disorder
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D000082 Acetaminophen Analgesic antipyretic derivative of acetanilide. It has weak anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a common analgesic, but may cause liver, blood cell, and kidney damage. Acetamidophenol,Hydroxyacetanilide,Paracetamol,APAP,Acamol,Acephen,Acetaco,Acetominophen,Algotropyl,Anacin-3,Datril,N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)acetanilide,N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol,Panadol,Tylenol,p-Acetamidophenol,p-Hydroxyacetanilide,Anacin 3,Anacin3
D000284 Administration, Oral The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth. Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012838 Silymarin A mixture of flavonoids extracted from seeds of the MILK THISTLE, Silybum marianum. It consists primarily of silybin and its isomers, silicristin and silidianin. Silymarin displays antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activity. It protects various tissues and organs against chemical injury, and shows potential as an antihepatoxic agent. Carsil,Karsil,Legalon,Silimarin
D013687 Telencephalon The anterior subdivision of the embryonic PROSENCEPHALON or the corresponding part of the adult prosencephalon that includes the cerebrum and associated structures. Endbrain,Endbrains

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