SILYMARIN ELICITS PARTIAL PROTECTION AGAINST METHOTREXATE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Objective:  Methotrexate (MTX) is the gold standard in rheumatoid arthritis treatment; however, its continued use is related to hepatotoxicity. Thus, the aim of the present work is to evaluate the protective role of silymarin (SLM) against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods:  Male Wistar rats were treated by gavage for 4 weeks as followed:  Control (saline solution, daily), MTX (900µg/kg, once a week and daily with saline solution), SLM (50 mg/kg, daily) and MTX+SLM (MTX 900µg/kg, once a week, SLM 50 mg/kg, daily).Results:  MTX rats presented macro-and microscopic changes in the liver that was not counteracted by SLM. SLM was able to prevent the significant increase in lipid peroxidation observed in the hepatic tissue of MTX rats. SLM+MTX presented a decrease in the hepatic non-proteic thiols compared to control; suggesting SLM favors detoxification through glutathione conjugation. It was also seen changes in the relative mass of the spleen and lungs of MTX rats.Conclusions:  SLM protects partially against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity.Â