Antihyperglycaemic, Antioxidant, and Nephroprotective Effects of Ethanol Seed Extract of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67254/e3mvdt67Keywords:
Silybum marianum, silymarin, streptozotocin, antioxidant, nephroprotective, antihyperglycaemicAbstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide, with oxidative stress playing a central role in its pathogenesis. Silybum marianum (milk thistle) possesses established antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, but its concurrent antihyperglycaemic, antioxidant, and nephroprotective effects in experimental diabetes remain incompletely characterised. This study evaluated the antihyperglycaemic, antioxidant, and nephroprotective effects of ethanol seed extract of Silybum marianum (SMESE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats (150–200 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6): normal control, diabetic control, SMESE 200 mg/kg, SMESE 400 mg/kg, and metformin 100 mg/kg. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal STZ injection (60 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally once daily for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, renal function markers (creatinine, urea, total protein), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], reduced glutathione [GSH]), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) were assessed. Histopathological examination of kidney tissues was performed. SMESE demonstrated an LD50 >2900 mg/kg, indicating practical non-toxicity. Phytochemical screening revealed abundant flavonoids (+++) and phenolics (+++), with moderate tannins (++) and terpenoids (++). STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited significant hyperglycaemia (17.6 ± 1.4 mmol/L), reduced serum insulin (5.8 ± 0.9 µIU/mL), elevated creatinine (1.45 ± 0.12 mg/dL) and urea (48.6 ± 3.2 mg/dL), depressed antioxidant enzymes (SOD: 11.3 ± 1.4 U/mg; CAT: 7.2 ± 0.9 µmol H₂O₂/min/mg; GSH: 18.6 ± 2.1 µmol/mg), and elevated MDA (9.6 ± 0.8 nmol/mg). SMESE treatment produced dose-dependent improvements: the high-dose group (400 mg/kg) reduced fasting blood glucose to 8.1 ± 0.9 mmol/L, restored serum insulin to 13.1 ± 1.4 µIU/mL, reduced creatinine to 0.85 ± 0.09 mg/dL and urea to 22.8 ± 2.1 mg/dL, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD: 23.4 ± 1.8 U/mg; CAT: 14.8 ± 1.3 µmol H₂O₂/min/mg; GSH: 35.7 ± 2.6 µmol/mg), and reduced MDA to 4.2 ± 0.5 nmol/mg. Histopathological findings confirmed preservation of renal architectural integrity, with outcomes approaching those of metformin. SMESE exhibits significant antihyperglycaemic, antioxidant, and nephroprotective effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The extract demonstrates safety and efficacy approaching metformin, suggesting its potential as a plant-derived adjunctive therapy for diabetic nephropathy. Further mechanistic and chronic toxicity studies are warranted before translational application
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