Hepatoprotective Effect of Silymarin and Propolis in Chemically Induced Chronic Liver Injury in Rats

Silymarin and propolis among phytochemicals that show anti-inflammatory, healing, antioxidant and several other promising properties. Our aim is to investigate protective effect of silymarin and propolis in chemically induced chronic liver injury in rats. A total of 60 male albino rats (90±10 days old) were divided equally into ten groups: (6 rats per each group). The experiment lasted along four months, through which all groups except for group 1 and 6 were given silymarin and propolis. Liver injury was induced in groups 6, 7, 8,9,10 while other groups were injected with saline and oil of the same volume as following. Group 1: served as negative control, the rats were fed on basal ration and water ad libitum. Group 2 (silymarin 100 mg/ kg b.wt). Group 3 (propolis 100 mg/kg b.wt). Group 4 (propolis 150 mg/kg b.wt). Group 5 (propolis 200 mg/kg b.wt). Group 6 served as positive control (DEN+CCl4). Group 7 (liver injury+ silymarin 100 mg/ kg b.wt). Group 8 (liver injury+ propolis 100 mg /kg b.wt). Group 9 (liver injury + propolis 150 mg/kg b.wt). Group 10 (liver injury + propolis 200 mg/kg b.wt). Blood samples were collected from all groups after four months and serum samples were separated for biochemical analysis of liver functions and tumor markers Administration of DEN+CCl_4 significantly increased liver weight, relative liver weight, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, AFP and CEA while, body weight, total protein, albumin and A/G ratio were markedly decreased. Treatment with silymarin and propolis caused improvement of liver function and reduction of tumor markers. The results indicated a protective effect for silymarin and propolis against hepatic injury induced by DEN+CCl_4 that may be due to their ability to block the bioactivity of those hepatotoxicants and via their antioxidant properties.