The deleterious effects of sofosbuvir and ribavirin (antiviral drugs against hepatitis C virus) on different body systems in male albino rats regarding reproductive, hematological, biochemical, hepatic, and renal profiles and histopathological changes

Sofosbuvir is one of the crucial drugs used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults and children with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis. It may be used alone or with other drugs. Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used to treat HCV infection. It is not effective when used alone and must be used in combination with other medications, such as sofosbuvir. This study pertains to a comprehensive assessment of the deleterious effects of sofosbuvir (an antiviral drug against chronic HCV) or sofosbuvir combined with ribavirin (an antiviral drug against RNA and DNA viruses) on several biological activities of the body, including hematological, hormonal, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical examinations during a long-standing period on male healthy rats. In addition, fertility assessments were performed, including sperm collections and semen parameter investigations. This study was conducted on 21 male rats divided into three equal groups. Group I (control group) received distilled water; group II (sofosbuvir group) received sofosbuvir (4 mg/kg); and group III (sofosbuvir + ribavirin) received sofosbuvir (4 mg/kg) plus ribavirin (30 ml/kg). All groups received the specific drug for six months. Blood and tissue samples were collected for hematological, hormonal, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical examinations. In addition, sperm collection and assessments of semen parameters were performed. Results revealed that sofosbuvir causes a highly significant decrease in the mean of most hematological, immunological, hormonal, and biochemical parameters, except for a few numbers of parameters such as neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, cortisol, GOT, and lipase, which exhibit a significant increase. The same occurred in the sofosbuvir + ribavirin group, but at much higher levels, as most hematological, immunological, hormonal, and biochemical parameters exhibit a highly significant decrease except for monocytes, triglyceride, and lipase, which exhibit a significant increase. When compared to the sofosbuvir group alone, the sofosbuvir + ribavirin group demonstrated a highly significant decline in the mean of most hematological, immunological, hormonal, and biochemical parameters except lymphocytes and triglycerides, which exhibit a substantial increase. For the reproductive parameters, both groups exhibit a significant decrease in the total sperm motility percentage. Finally, it can be concluded that sofosbuvir causes acute pancreatitis and combined immunodeficiency. Ribavirin is associated with hormonal deficiency, which indicates the occurrence of hypopituitarism. Moreover, sofosbuvir and ribavirin synergistically affect myelosuppression and cause iron-deficiency anemia. However, sofosbuvir, or its combination with ribavirin, is associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides, adding ribavirin to be combined with sofosbuvir improved the immunodeficiency caused by sofosbuvir; this confirms that using ribavirin with sofosbuvir reduces the side effects of both alone.

Ameliorative activity of aqueous leaf extract from Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-administered toxicity on rat stomach and intestine

Madhuca longifolia, a tropical tree used as medicine and food, is known to have a beneficial effect against stomach gastric toxicity. Madhuca longifolia is used in treating cough, skin disease and nerve disorders. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with overdosage and prolonged use, is known to cause gastric toxicity. Silymarin (SLY), a polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid, is a derivative of Silybum marianum extracted from milk thistle seeds and fruits, has been widely used in the treatment of gastric ulcer. SLY was used as the standard drug to compare the effects with the Madhuca longifolia aqueous leaf extract treatment. The aim of the current study is to understand the effect of Madhuca longifolia aq. leaf extract on rat stomach and intestine against diclofenac-administered toxicity. Rats (n = 30) were divided into Group I normal control, Group II treated with diclofenac, Group III treated with diclofenac and Madhuca longifolia leaf extract, Group IV treated with diclofenac and silymarin, and Group V was treated with Madhuca longifolia leaf extract alone. After the study duration, rats were euthanized and tissue samples were analyzed for antioxidant, cytokine, protein expression levels and histopathological changes. Diclofenac treated rats had significant (p < 0.05) changes in levels of antioxidants, cytokines, protein expression and pathological changes as compared to rats treated with Madhuca longifolia. This study demonstrated that Madhuca longifolia leaf extract had gastroprotective activity in rats treated with diclofenac.

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in combination with silymarin regulate hepatocyte growth factor expression and genotoxicity in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the antimutagenic potential of combination treatment of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) and silymarin and its effect on hepatocyte growth factor levels in CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

METHODS

Hepatotoxicity was induced in adult female Wistar rats using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ ). Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups with six rats in each group: Group 1 (normal control group), Group 2 (received only CCl ₄ ), Group 3 (CCl ₄ +low dose BM-MSCs), Group 4 (CCl ₄ +high dose BM-MSCs), Group 5 (CCl ₄  + silymarin), Group 6 (CCl ₄ +silymarin+high dose BM-MSCs). Thirty days after the treatment, blood samples were collected for hepatocyte growth factor estimation. The rats were then killed, bone marrow was extracted for chromosomal aberration assay. Liver tissue was processed for evaluating the DNA fragmentation assay, histopathology, and scanning electron microscopy study.

RESULTS

Combination treatment of silymarin and high dose BM-MSCs significantly (P < 0.05) restored the plasma hepatocyte growth factor levels which were comparable with normal levels and exhibited significant antimutagenic and antiapoptotic activity by decreasing the frequency of structural chromosomal aberrations and suppressing the DNA fragmentation in liver tissue samples. The combination treatment produced significant hepatoprotective effect which was supported by histopathology and scanning electron microscopy study.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that the treatment of BM-MSCs in combination with silymarin had a better hepatoprotective and antimutagenic effect and represents a novel strategy for the treatment of hepatotoxicity.

Protective effects of silymarin against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity in mouse liver

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical released into the environment, with severe consequences for human health, including metabolic syndrome and associated pathological conditions. Due to limited information on BPA-induced hepatotoxicity, the present study focused on investigating the association between BPA-induced toxicity and inflammatory markers in the liver, and how these injuries may be alleviated using the natural agent silymarin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties obtained from Silybum marianum. Administration of BPA to male CD-1 mice for 10 days caused a significant increase in the number of cells immunopositive for interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, pro-inflammatory cytokines that mediate the hepatic inflammatory response. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of silymarin concurrently with BPA for 10 days resulted in a diminished level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and in significantly reduced ultrastructural injuries. Additionally, silymarin was able to restore the significantly decreased glycogen deposits observed following BPA exposure to normal levels, thus favoring hepatic glycogenesis. This study represents the first report of silymarin ability to reduce hepatic lesions and to counteract inflammation caused by BPA in mice. A dose of 200 mg/kg silymarin was sufficient to induce a protective effect against structural and ultrastructural injuries induced by BPA and to lower the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in murine liver tissue following exposure to BPA.