Biochemical evaluation of the protective impact of silymarin against cyclophosphamide- induced hepatotoxicity in rats

This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effect of silymarin on the hepatotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide [CP] in female albino rats. The results revealed that cyclophosphamide induced marked increase in relative liver weight and serum levels of ALT, AST and decrease in serum albumin level which were normalized by silymarin administration. Pretreatment with silymarin significantly attenuated cyclophosphamide-induced increases in malondialdehyde [MDA] in the liver homogenate. The results revealed that the activities of lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase [ACP], beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase [beta-NAG] and beta- galactosidase [beta-GAL] were increased significantly in CP-treated animals while pretreatment by silymarin caused marked attenuation in the increased activities of the three enzymes. Cyclophosphamide significantly decreased reduced glutathione [GSH], glutathione-s-transferase [GST] and glutathione reductase [GR] levels in the liver homogenate, while pretreatment with silymarin blunted the decreased levels of GSH,GST and GR. Our results revealed the potential hepatoprotective effect of silymarin against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity. So, it may be worthy to consider the beneficial use of silymarin as supplement with cyclophosphamide therapy

Assessment of the protective role of green tea on doxorubicin induced hepatic and renal injuries in albino rats

The present study has been undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effect of green tea [GT] on doxorubicin [Doxo]-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in albino rats. The harmful effects of Doxo on some antioxidant enzymes, catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione-S-transferase [GST] were studied. Reduced glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] in liver and kidney homogenates were investigated. Quantitative and qualitative extents of DNA damage in the liver cells were also estimated using Cornet assay. Thirty two male adult albino rats [180-200 g] were divided into four groups [n=8] as follows; [1] Control group: was orally administered 1 ml/rat of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose [CMC] in distilled water, [2] Doxo group: after 10 days, Doxo was administered a single i.p. dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, [3] GT group: rats received 100 mg/kg body weight, p.o. of GT for 10 days and [4] Doxo and GT group: rats received 100 mg/kg body weight, p.o. of GT for 10 days prior to Doxo administration as a single i.p. dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. Doxorubicin-induced significant increase in serum levels of AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT] for liver and urea and creatinine for kidney which were decreased by pretreatment with GT. Total serum protein and albumin levels were decreased after treatment with Doxo but this effect was attenuated by pretreatment with GT. Catalase, SOD, GST activities and GSH content of liver and kidney were significantly elevated by pretreatment with GT compared to Doxo-treated rats. Doxorubicin significantly increased in MDA levels. DNA damage measured as tail length, tail DNA% and tail moment were increased after treatment of Doxo while pretreatment with GT improved this effect. This study suggests that green tea has potential protective effect against doxorubicin-induced hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. So, it may be worthy to consider the usefulness of GT as adjuvant therapy in cancer management

Protective role of green tea against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress in rats

Mitochondria are primary target involved in doxorubicin [DOX] cardiotoxicity which mediated by the induction of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. Therefore, the objective of this study was planned to investigate the effect of DOX on cardiac mitochondrial functions. The harmful effect of DOX on lysosomal membrane was also investigated. Moreover, the protective effect of green tea plus catechin [GT] against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was considered. Thirty two male adult albino rats [180-200 g] were divided into four groups [n=8] as follows: [1] control group [saline solution, 1 ml 100 g[-1] body weight, i.p., for 10 days], [2] DOX group [a single dose of 10mg kg[-1] body weight, i.p. after 10 days of treatment with saline], [3] GT group [received 100 mg kg' body weight, per.os [p.o]. of GT for 10 days] and [4] DOX/GT group [received 100 mg kg[-1] body weight, p.o. of GT for 10 days prior to DOX adminstration]. Doxorubicin-induced significantly increased serum levels of lactic dehydrogenase [LDH] and creatine kinase [CK] which were reduced by GT administration. Pretreatment with GT significantly attenuated the doxorubicin induced increases in malondialdehyde [MDA], protein, carbonyl [PC] formation and lysosomal enzymes activities [P<0.05]. Doxorubicin significantly decreased GSH level, while pretreatment with GT blunted the decrease in GSH level [P<0.01]. This study suggests that green tea plus catechin has potentially protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity generation. So, it may be worthy to consider the usefulness of GT as adjuvant therapy in cancer management