Possible Protective Effects of Garlic, Ginkobiloba and Silymarin on Cisplatin Hepatotoxicity in Protein-Malnourished Rats

Background: Protein malnutrition (PM) is one of the major public health problems in developing countries. Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective anticancer drug that elicits many hepatotoxicity. CDDP hepatotoxicity restricts its clinical use under long term treatment.
Objectives: The study was carried out to determine the possible protective effects of fresh garlic homogenate (FGH), Ginkobiloba extract (GBE) or silymarin (Sly) on cisplatin hepatotoxicity in protein malnourished rats.
Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into NF set and PM set. Each set divided into control group and seven treated groups received cisplatn and FGH, GBE or Sly and its combinations with cisplatin. Biochemical changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) parameters were evaluated. Liver samples were examined for histopathological changes
Results: Cisplatin increased ALT and AST, as well as liver body weight ratio. ROS parameters showed a significant increase in MDA and nitric oxide (NO) and decrease in glutathione and SOD. PM potentiates cisplatin side effects. FGH, GBE or Sly attenuate cisplatin toxicity and liver histopathological changes.
Conclusion: PM potentiates cisplatin toxicity. FGH, GBE or Sly has partial protective effects against the cisplatin- induced toxicity induced in NF and PM rats.