الملخص

Dehydration is a dangerous environmental stress that disturbs water and electrolyte balance, causing significant pathological changes in vital organs, especially the liver and kidneys. Therefore, the present study was planned to examine preventive benefits of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seeds contains an effective water insoluble compound knowns silymarin, recently has been widely employed as therapeutic component as a hepato-renal protective, in this study used against dehydration-induced hepatic and renal abnormalities in guinea pigs. Twenty-four adult guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were randomly separated into four groups (n=6); control, Silybum marianum, dehydration groups and dehydration + Silybum marianum groups. Dehydration was induced for four weeks by restriction 30% of water intake. Hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin was administered orally to the treated groups during the study period, at a dose of 150 mg/ kg per day for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment statistical analysis of serum biochemical parameters were performed. Liver and Kidney tissues were taken for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical examinations utilizing Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and Caspase-3 immunostaining. Histopathological results showed Histopathological alternation in the dehydration group, including necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules, vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes, congestion of the blood vessels, and inflammatory infiltration. PAS staining also revealed a reduction in the reactivity of the tissue in the dehydrated animals. However, the tissue architecture and staining intensity were significantly improved in the dehydration + Silybum marianum group. Further immunohistochemical evaluation indicated higher expression of Caspase-3 in dehydration group indicating increased apoptotic activity and a decrease of expression after treatment with Silybum marianum. In conclusion, results reveal that Silybum marianum has hepatorenal protective effects against dehydration induced tissue injury by antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.