Protective effects of silymarin on fumonisin B(1)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of silymarin on experimental liver toxication induced by Fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) in BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into six groups (n = 15). Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 was the silymarin control (100 mg/kg by gavage). Groups 3 and 4 were treated with FB(1) (Group 3, 1.5 mg/kg FB(1), intraperitoneally; and Group 4, 4.5 mg/kg FB(1)). Group 5 received FB(1) (1.5 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg), and Group 6 was given a higher dose of FB(1) (4.5 mg/kg FB(1)) with silymarin (100 mg/kg). Silymarin treatment significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) the apoptotic rate. FB(1) administration significantly increased (p < 0.0001) proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 expression. Furthermore, FB(1) elevated the levels of caspase-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mediators while silymarin significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) the expression of these factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) expressions were significantly elevated in Group 4 (p < 0.0001). Silymarin administration alleviated increased VEGF and FGF-2 expression levels (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, silymarin ameliorated toxic liver damage caused by FB(1) in BALB/c mice.