Potential Impact of Silymarin in EtBr Induced Reprotoxicity in Female Rats

Abstract

This study was curried out to evaluate the potential impact of silymarin against reproductive organ toxicity in female rats treated with ethidium bromide (EtBr). Eighty female Wistar rats (aged: 100 days, weighted: 170-175 g) were randomly assigned to control, orally supplemented with distilled water, and three treated groups, orally supplemented with silymarin (S) (200 mg/kg bw), EtBr (10 mg/kg bw), and combination of EtBr and silymarin (SEtBr), respectively. After 20 days and 40 days of treatment, 10 females from each group were anesthetized and blood samples were withdrawn for assessment of follicle stimulating hormone; FSH, luteinizing hormone; LH, estradiol; E₂, malondialdehyde; MDA, glutathione; GSH, catalase; CAT, and superoxide dismutase; SOD concentrations. Pituitary and ovarian samples were obtained for FSHβ, LHβ, and aromatase gene expression analysis. The results of the EtBr group showed a significant increase in MDA concentration and a significant decrease in the concentration of GSH, CAT, SOD, FSH, LH and E2, while treatment with silymarin and EtBr led to results close to the control group. The treatment with silymarin significantly increased the expression of FSH, LH, and aromatase genes, while treatment with EtBr caused a decrease in the expression of these genes. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in combination with EtBr has potent amelioration effect against reproductive organs toxicity in a duration-dependent pattern.