Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which induces kidney toxicitydue to producing oxidative stress. We have investigated the potential protective effects ofsilymarin on paraquat-induced renal toxicity. 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, wastreated 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 changeswere examined. In group 2 which received paraquat only, a remarkable increase (P<0.05) was observedin serum creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and tumor necrosisfactor 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, proteincarbonyl, MDA, and TNF-α as well as renal histopathological changes. The present study suggests that silymarin has anti-inflammatory andnephroprotective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat.