Effect of Silymarin Extract in Prevention of Intoxication of the reproductive system Induced by Nanoparticles of Cadmium in Rats

Nowadays, infertility problems impose a heavy burden on many developing countries. Previous studies have shown that the testes are a target organ of cadmium poisoning, which may explain the decline in male fertility. On the other hand, many studies have shown protective and antioxidative properties of silymarin against adverse effects of chemotherapy medications and environmental toxins in sperms and oocytes. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the protective effect of silymarin against cadmium nanoparticle-induced toxicity in the reproductive system of rats.

In this experimental study, 60 male rats weighing 190±10g, aged 90 days, were divided into six groups of 10 each. Rats of each group received cadmium (10mg/kg body weight) and silymarin (200 mg/kg body weight), for 14 and 28 days, according to the experimental protocol. After killing the male rats, blood tissue samples were collected, and their serum was separated. Then luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone were evaluated by the ELISA method. Also, serum levels of antioxidants, including malondialdehyde, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were investigated.

After nano-cadmium treatment, the levels of male sex hormones, including luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone, as well as the levels of antioxidants, including malondialdehyde, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase, decreased. However, after a longer period of time (14 and 28 days, respectively), the levels of hormones and antioxidants improved significantly due to the effect of silymarin (p<0.05).

Silymarin significantly reduces cadmium-induced reproductive damage in rats.