Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) seed oil

摘要

This study has assessed the protective efficacy of Silybum marianum seed oil (SMSO) in the context of CCl₄-induced injury and oxidative stress in murine liver. Based on the GC-MS analysis, linoleic and stearic acids, tocopherol, ascorbic acid 2,6 dihexadecanoate and other constituents were identified in SMSO. Swiss mice received oral doses of SMSO daily for 21 days (10 g/kg b.w.) and subsequently injected i.p. with CCl₄ (50% v/v in olive oil; 1 ml/kg) on the 22nd day. CCl₄ administration induced an elevation of serum amino- and glutamyl transferases activities and an increased peroxidation, as well as a decrease of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST activities in liver. SMSO successfully prevented oxidative stress and restored the biochemical parameters, hepatic architecture and expression of TNF-alpha. These findings suggest that SMSO was effective in counteracting the damaging effects of CCl₄-induced injury in hepatocytes, probably due to its inherent antioxidant properties.