Protective effect of Silymarin against cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in male rats

الملخص EN

To evaluate the protective role of silymarin in ameliorating the nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporine in male rats, 120 adult male rats were randomly allocated to control and three treated groups (30 per each).

Control group male rats were orally supplemented with drinking water, while treatment group male rats were orally supplemented with silymarin (200 mg/kg bw), cyclosporine (5mg/kg/day) and combination of cyclosporine and silymarin.

Animals were treated for 30 days and left without treatment for 15 days.

Each group were allocated to three subgroups (10 per each), and sacrificed after 15, 30 and 45 days of the experiment.

After each treatment period, the relative kidney weights were recorded.

Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum concentrations of creatinine and urea nitrogen.

Kidney samples were obtained for histopathological examination.

The results of cyclosporine treated group male rats revealed significant increase in kidney weight and the concentrations of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen among experimental groups, at all experimental periods, whereas combination treatment of silymarin and cyclosporine retained them to the control levels.

Kidney tissue sections from cyclosporine treated male rats showed obvious atrophy and low cellularity of glomeruli, necrosis of Bowman capsule, dilation of renal convoluted tubules and necrosis of its lining, whereas combination of silymarin and cyclosporine treatment showed normal glomeruli, mild degeneration Bowman capsule and renal convoluted tubules lining.

The present changes were duration dependent.

In conclusion, silymarin treatment in combination with cyclosporine has nephrotoxic ameliorating effect against nephrotoxicity.