Investigation of the positive effects of silymarin on valproic acid-induced liver damage in rats

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the potential hepatoprotective effects of silymarin on valproic acid-induced liver injury by histological and biochemical parameters in rat liver. Method:Experimental procedures were performed on 21 male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were divided into three groups: group 1, control; group 2, valproic acid; group 3, valproic acid + silymarin. The groups were administered 500 mg/kg/day valproic acidand 100 mg/kg/daysilymarin for 14 days, except control group. Results:Silymarin treatment decreased the levels of serumgamma glutamyl transferase, alanine amino transferase, aspartate aminotransferase and increreased serum albumin levelssignificantly (p <0.05). In addition, increased amount of malondialdehyde and decreased levels of glutathione with valproic acid were significantly suppressed by silymarin in liver tissue (p <0.05). The combination of silymarinwith valproic acid reduced loss of body weight in the present study. Histologically, the extent of liver damage was significantly lower in the valproic acid+silymarin group (p<0.005). Oxidative stress was decreased, antioxidant activity was increased and histopathological changes were reduced in the valproic acid + silymarin group compared to the valproic acid group. Conclusion:This study revealed that the liver injury induced by valproic acid was attenuated with silymarin administration. Silymarincan protect rat liver against valproic acid induced injury by its anti-oxidative effect, and might be useful for reducing the severity of liver injury