The ameliorating effect of silymarin against vancomycin-induced apoptosis and inflammation in rat liver

Abstract

Silymarin (SL), a flavonolignan complex isolated from seeds of Silybum marianum (Asteraceae), is known for its hepatoprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. A glycopeptide antibiotic, Vancomycin (VA) which is used for the treatment of serious infections caused by multi-resistant Gram-positive microorganisms has been clinically used for a long time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential therapeutic efficiency of SL against VA-induced apoptosis and inflammation using apoptotic (caspase-3, -8, and, -9 enzyme activities) and inflammatory (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-)) markers, and histopathological examinations in rat liver. A total of 49 male Wistar albino rats was divided into 7 groups including control (saline, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), Dimethyl sulfoxide (i.p.), VA (400 mg/kg/day, i.p.), SL100 (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.), VA+SL50 (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.), VA+SL100 (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.), and VA+SL200 (200 mg/kg/day, i.p.). SL was administered once a daily for 8 days. One day after the first treatment of SL, VA administration was started and continued for 7 days. Hepatic TNF- levels were evaluated by ELISA and hepatic caspase activities were evaluated according to the colorimetric method. Significantly increased caspase activities were determined in VA group compared to control group (P<0.05). However, significantly reduced caspase activities were determined in VA+SL200 group when compared to VA group (P<0.05). TNF- level in VA group was found to be statistically higher than control group (P<0.05). TNF- levels of SL100, VA+SL (50, 100, and 200) groups were significantly lower than VA group (P<0.05). VA+SL200 group was found to be the most effective group according to reducing caspase activities and TNF- level.