Objective: The objective of the study was to study the silymarin’s pancreatoprotective effect in alloxan-induced Type I diabetes mellitus. Numerous studies have evidence to prove the fact that antioxidant defense mechanism of flavonoids has overcome the progression of chronic diabetic complications.
Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6): Group I normal control, Group II, Group III, and Group IV were induced diabetes with alloxan. Group I and Group II diabetic rats received the vehicle (PO). Group III was treated with silymarin 400 mg/kg (PO). Group IV was treated with glibenclamide 0.5 mg/kg, per orally for 21 days. Fasting blood samples were collected from all four groups of animals at the end of 21 days to evaluate serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Pancreatic tissue extraction, to perform lipid peroxidation and histopathological study confirms the level of oxidative damage to tissues and recovery after treatment.
Results: The serum glucose and HbA1c levels significantly increased in untreated diabetic rats, also a significant rise in lipid peroxidation and necrosis of beta cells in the pancreatic tissue. The rise in serum glucose levels was ameliorated in rats treated with silymarin, pancreatic tissue showed increased antioxidant levels, decreased lipid peroxides, and minimal changes and signs of regeneration of beta cells.
Conclusion: This study adds experimental evidence to the fact that silymarin is an effective nutritional supplement to treasure pancreatic beta-cell reserve and to delay diabetic complications
