Introduction: Herbal extracts have shown protective efficacy on organs toxicity. Carbon-tetra chloride (CCl4) induce the production of free radical. Silymarin has potent cytoprotecting antioxidant effects.
Aim: was to investigate the role of Silymarin in lowering the cytotoxic effect of CCL4 on the salivary glands of rats.
Materials and methods: Thirty rats were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Group I (Control) received (1 ml) saline orally for 21 days. Group II: (CCl4) received saline orally for 15 days followed by CCl4 (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) twice per week until day 21. Group III: (Silymarin+CCl4) received silymarin (25 mg/kg, oral) orally for 15 days followed by CCl4 (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) till day 21. Rats were euthanized after 21 days; after dissecting the salivary glands, they were prepared for routine H&E and immunohistochemical evaluation for caspase-3. Lastly, the antioxidant marker Reduced glutathione (GSH), the oxidative stress markers Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Nitric Oxide (NO) were assessed.
Results: The histological results revealed acinar and ductal apoptotic changes in the CCl4 group. In group III, the degenerative changes induced by CCl4 were reduced. CCl4 in group II significantly increased NO and MDA levels as well as decreased GSH levels. Silymarin significantly decreased NO and MDA, while increased GSH compared to group II. Caspase-3 immunoexpression was lower in Group III compared to CCl4 group.
Conclusions: Silymarin has a protective antioxidant activity on the salivary glands that reduces the toxic effects produced by CCl4.