title: Silymarin, a natural antioxidant, protects cerebral cortex against manganese-induced neurotoxicity in adult rats.
abstract: Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for biological systems, nevertheless occupational exposure to high levels of Mn can lead to neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by serious oxidative and neurotoxic effects with similarities to Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of silymarin (SIL), an antioxidant flavonoid, against manganese chloride induced neurotoxicity both in vivo (cerebral cortex of rats) and in vitro (Neuro2a cells). Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the first group (C) received vehicle solution (i.p.) served as controls. The second group (Mn) received orally manganese chloride (20 mg/ml). The third group (Mn + SIL) received both Mn and SIL. The fourth group (SIL) received only SIL (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Animals exposed to Manganese chloride showed a significant increase in TBARS, NO, AOPP and PCO levels in cerebral cortex. These changes were accompanied by a decrease of enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx) and non-enzymatic (GSH, NpSH, Vit C) antioxidants. Co-administration of silymarin to Mn-treated rats significantly improved antioxidant enzyme activities and attenuated oxidative damages observed in brain tissue. The potential effect of SIL to prevent Mn induced neurotoxicity was also reflected by the microscopic study, indicative of its neuroprotective effects. We concluded that silymarin possesses neuroprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating manganese-induced neurodegenerative effects.
authors.affiliation: Animal Physiology Laboratory, Life Sciences Department, UR/08-73, Sfax Faculty of Sciences, BP1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chtourou
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fetoui
authors.forename: Mediha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sefi
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trabelsi
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barkallah
authors.forename: Tahia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boudawara
authors.forename: Héla
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kallel
authors.forename: Najiba
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zeghal
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002712:Chlorides; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D009573:Nitrites; D012838:Silymarin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; C025340:manganese chloride