Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of milkthistle (<i>Silybum marianum</i> L. Gaertn.) seed oil

Abstract

Abstract This study has assessed the protective efficacy of Silybum marianum seed oil (SMSO) in the context of CCl 4 -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 CCl 4 (50% v/v in olive oil; 1 ml/kg) on the 22nd day. CCl 4 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 CCl 4 -induced injury in hepatocytes, probably due to its inherent antioxidant properties.