| Summary: | Introduction: Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which induces kidney toxicity
due to producing oxidative stress. We have investigated the potential protective effects of
silymarin on paraquat-induced renal toxicity.
Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups, group 1, control group;
group 2, rats that received paraquat only (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po); animals in group 3, was
treated with paraquat (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w./day, po). Then,
the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress and renal histopathological changes
were examined.
Results: In group 2 which received paraquat only, a remarkable increase (P<0.05) was observed
in serum creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and tumor necrosis
factor alpha (TNF-α). Also, there was a significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase,
catalase (CAT), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and vitamin C in the second group.
Oral administration of silymarin significantly decreased serum urea, creatinine, protein
carbonyl, MDA, and TNF-α as well as renal histopathological changes.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that silymarin has anti-inflammatory and
nephroprotective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat.
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