Therapeutic Effect of Silybum marianum Plant Extract on Tamoxifen-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Background: Tamoxifen (TMX) is a synthetic drug that is widely used for treatment of breast cancer. Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side effects such as the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in the patients. Silybum marianum is the most researched plant in treatment of liver disease. Objectives: In this study the effect of Silybum marianum Extract (SME) on histological and biochemical parameters in TMX-treated rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were divided to four groups; ۱) normal control untreated rats, ۲) SME-treated rats, that received only SME in a dose of ۱.۶ g/kg body weight/day, oral gavage for ۱۴ days, ۳) TMX-treated rats, that received TMX in a dose of ۱ mg/kg body weight/day, subcutaneously, for seven days, ۴) TMX-SME-treated rats, that received TMX in a dose of ۱ mg/kg body weight/day, subcutaneously, for seven days and then SME by oral gavage for ۱۴ days. The groups were compared in terms of serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C), total protein and liver triglyceride amount, and histological findings. Results: Concentrations of HDL-C and protein decreased and activity of ALT increased in TMX group compared with the control group. The SME increased protein concentration and decreased ALT activity in TMX-SME group compared with the TMX group. Histopathological examination and triglyceride assay in liver tissues showed lipid accumulation in the TMX-treated rats and amelioration of lipid accumulation in the liver of TMX-SME-treated rats. Conclusions: Intake of water extract of Silybum marianum is a useful treatment for liver function in drug-induced fatty liver.