Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) Extract Against Lead Toxicity in Rats

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Nutrition and Food Science - Faculty of Home Economics - Helwan University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional effects of milk thistle extract and its efficacy against lead toxicity in rats. The experiment used 30 albino rats weighing 140±5g, divided into five groups (6 rats per group). The first group was a negative control, and the second group was a positive control fed a basic diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg lead acetate. Groups (3-5) were fed the same lead-supplemented diet with additional 100 mg, 300 mg, and 500 mg/kg of milk thistle extract, respectively, for six weeks. The chemical composition of milk thistle, weight gain, and levels of calcium, phosphorus, lead, kidney function, liver function, malondialdehyde, and some oxidative enzymes were measured.

The results showed an increase in weight in the rats fed milk thistle extract compared to the positive control group. Liver and kidney enzymes significantly decreased in groups (3-5) compared to the positive control group. There was a significant improvement in serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the groups fed milk thistle extract. Lead levels decreased in all three concentrations of milk thistle extract used compared to the positive control group. Groups (3-5) showed an increase in catalase levels and a decrease in malondialdehyde due to the consumption of milk thistle extract. Therefore, this study recommends that the consumption of milk thistle extract at the three different levels has a positive effect on health by reducing the harmful effects of lead.

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