Hepatoprotective role of Legalon 70 against hydrogen peroxide in chickens

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Legalon 70, a standard hepatic drug of silymarin, in reducing the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in broiler chickens. METHODS: Twenty Ross broiler chickens of 30-day old were divided into four groups, Group 1 control, received drinking tap water, Group 2 treated with 0.5% H(2)O(2) in drinking water, Group 3 treated with 0.5% H(2)O(2) and 3 mg/Kg Legalon 70 daily, and Group 4 treated with a single oral dose of 3 mg/Kg Legalon 70 daily. After 4 weeks of the treatment, chickens were killed and the serum collected for the measuring of liver functions parameters, and the liver tissues used for processing the histological examination. RESULTS: The results indicated that H(2)O(2) treatment significantly elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and bilirubin level (direct and total) and decreased level of serum albumin comparing with control group. Treatment with Legalon 70 significantly reversed the H(2)O(2)-induced alteration and has positive effects on the liver functions parameters. Results of histopathology of H(2)O(2)-treated group showed severe vascular congestion, alveolar damage, and inflammatory cell infiltration, silymarin treatment blocked these changes and reduced the toxic effects of H(2)O(2) toward liver cells. CONCLUSION: We concluded that silymarin induces the liver function recovery and considered in the treatment of liver injury. Silymarin, a major component of milk thistle, has been used as a hepatoprotector.