Abstract

SILYBUM MARIANUM SEEDS EXTRACT AMELIORATES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND APOPTOSIS IN DIABETIC RATS

Alshimaa M. Abobeah, Om Ali Y. El-Khawaga, Amira O. Abd El-Azim, Amira Awadalla and Amr Negm*

ABSTRACT

Silybum marianum is a well known herbal medicine for its therapeutic benefits in complementary medicine. Thus, this study will shed the light on the effect of SM seeds extract on various disorders and complications in biochemical markers of glycemic status, apoptosis, and oxidative stress associated with diabetes. After diabetes induction, crude Silybum marianum seeds (SM) extract (250 mg/kg) was given to both diabetic and normal groups for 30 days. Then, biochemical, molecular and histopathological changes was evaluated. Results: Oral administration SM extract significantly decreased serum glucose, HbA1C and increased serum insulin. Furthermore, upon treatment, an increase in the antioxidant enzymes and a decreased level of MDA was noticed. On the other hand, the treatment reduced the Mrna expression of hepatic Nrf-2, HO-1, pancreatic Glucokinase, bcl-2, and increased Bax mRNA expression. Moreover, SM extract restored the histopathological changes of pancreas, which confirmed the biochemical findings. Discussion and Conclusion: crude SM seeds extract exhibits hypoglycemic activity through modulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis inhibition.

Keywords: Silybum marianum, Diabetes, Hypoglycemic agents, Antioxidants, Apoptosis.