The effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin on serum lipids profiles in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes produces disturbances in lipid profile and increased incidence of atherosclerosis. Lipid abnormalitiesare defined by increases in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Silymarin is a natural hepato-protector extracted from Silybum marianum. It is possible that that Silymarin might be able to modulate metabolic changes in the liver and pancreas. In the present study, fifty adult male Wistar rats were used in five groups: group I-control (0.9 % NaCl), group II-diabetic control (0.9%NaCl), group III-diabetic receiving 100 mg/kg silymarin, group IV-diabetic receiving 125 mg/kg, silymarin, and group V-diabetic receiving 250 mg/kg silymarin. All groups were dosed for 14 days via oral gavage. Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin in rats (45 mg/kg b.w., ip.). Fasting glucose level and weight were measured before injection, 3 days after injection, and on days 7 and 14 of treatment. At the end of day 14, blood samples were collected via a heart puncture after animals had been anaesthetized with ether. Lipid profile of the serum samples were analysed (TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c). The results showed that hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin increased the average weight and decreased glucose level in this period, and TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c level experienceda dose dependent reduction; the level of HDL-c increased in a dose-dependent manner at the end of 14 days (P < 0/05). The results of the present study demonstrate that hydroalcoholic extract of silymarin has an overall beneficial effect on weight, glucose level and lipid profile in an experimental model. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.