EFFECT OF QUERCETIN ON HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF SILYMARIN AGAINST THIOACETAMIDE INTOXICATED RATS

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the interactive effect of Quercetin on hepatoprotective effect of Silymarin against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Albino rats of either sex were divided into six groups and treated for 7 days. Group 1 and 2 served as normal and toxic control and other groups were treated with Silymarin (100 mg/kg), Quercetin (100 mg/kg), high and low dose combination of Silymarin (100 and 50 mg/kg) + Quercetin (100 and 50 mg/kg) respectively. Liver damage was induced in by administering thioacetamide (100 mg/kg, s.c) on 7^th day. 48 h after the administration of thioacetamide blood samples were collected by retro-orbital puncture method and levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in serum were evaluated. Histopathology of liver was also carried out. The combination of Silymarin (100 mg/kg) + Quercetin (100 mg/kg) demonstrated significant reduction in enzyme and bilirubin level in serum compared to Silymarin (100 mg/kg) alone treated group which was supported by histopathological study. It can be concluded that Quercetin has got a synergistic effect on hepatoprotective action of Silymarin against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity.