Hepatoprotective Activity of Silybum marianum and Cichorium intybus Against Thioacetamide in Rat

Abstract

The plant phenolic compounds such as flavonoids have an important role in the treatment of many diseases and some of them have a potent hepatoprotective effect. In this study, we have investigated the protective effects of polyphenolic extracts of Silybum marianum and Cichorium intybus on thioacethamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. The extracts were injected to the rats, at a dosis of 25 mg kg^-1 body weight together whit thioacetamide at a dosis of 50 mg kg^-1 body weight. To assess the affectivity of extracts, against thioacetamide, the activity of aminotransferases (SGOT and SGPT), alkalin phosphatase, bilirubin, Na⁺ and K⁺ were measured. Significant decrease in the activity of aminotransferases, alkalin phosphatase and bilirubin was observed in the groups treated with extracts and thioacetamide compared with the group that was treated only with thioacetamide. The level of Na⁺, K⁺ and liver weight between different groups was not significantly altered. This results prove the protective effect of extracts on liver cells. The protective effects of this extracts can be due to the presence of flavonoids compounds and their antioxidant effects.