title: Hepatoprotective Property of Oral Silymarin is Comparable to N-Acetyl Cysteine in Acetaminophen Poisoning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is usually used as antidote for prevention of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. In present study we have evaluated efficacy of oral silymarin in its prevention in rats intoxicated with lethal dose of acetaminophen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. The first group received only vehicle of acetaminophen and served as control. The second group was given 800 mg/kg acetaminophen by gavage with an orogastric canula. The third, fourth and fifth groups were given 300 mg/kg NAC and 150 and 300 mg/kg silymarin respectively. Analysis of serum AST, ALT, and ALP and liver histopathology were employed for assessment of hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum ALT levels were significantly increased in the APAP group rats. The mean serum ALT levels returned to normal in both NAC treated and silymarin treated groups. Silymarin (150 mg/kg) had prevented hepatocytes necrosis similar to NAC. No severe hepatotoxicity were seen in groups 3 and 4; while it is seen in 70% of animals in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that a single dose of orally administered silymarin (150 mg/kg) significantly attenuated acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rat. Oral silymarin can be used in these patients instead of NAC.
authors: Internal Medicine Department, Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Amir Mohammad
authors: AM
authors: Kazemifar
authors: Internal Medicine Department, Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Ali Akbar
authors: AA
authors: Hajaghamohammadi
authors: Internal Medicine Department, Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Rasoul
authors: R
authors: Samimi
authors: Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Alavi
authors: Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Esmail
authors: E
authors: Abbasi
authors: Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Marjan Nasiri
authors: MN
authors: Asl
keywords: Acetaminophen; Hepatotoxicity; N-Acetyl Cysteine; Poisoning; Silymarin