SILYMARIN REDUCED CRUDE OIL- INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Crude oil is an environmental toxicant that has been reported to have adverse effects on the female reproductive system via oxidative stress. Silymarin is a plant derived antioxidant that has protective effects on tissues that may include those of the female reproductive system. This study is designed to evaluate the protective effects of Silymarin on the female reproductive system from crude oil induced toxicity. Twenty (20) sexually matured female rats weighing 170-200g were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) with each group having five (5) rats. Group A was the control while groups B, C and D were the test groups. Group A was given 0.5 ml of distilled water, while group B received 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of Silymarin, group C received 100mg/kg bw of crude oil and group D received both 200 mg/kg bw of Silymarin and 100mg/kg bw of crude oil. All treatments were administered orally for four (4) weeks and the rats were sacrificed thereafter. Blood samples were used for hormonal assays (Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Oestradiol and progesterone) while ovaries and uteri obtained were used for Heamatoxylin and eosin (H & E) tissue staining. Crude oil caused a reduction in FSH, LH and Oestradiol levels that were reversed by Silymarin administration. Silymarin had no impact on progesterone levels. Crude oil induced tissue changes in the ovaries and uteri were also reversed by Silymarin. This study demonstrated that Silymarin reversed adverse effects induced by crude oil. It may be due to its antioxidant property.