Silymarin Reduces Paclitaxel-induced Lung Damage Via Down-regulating
P2X7R Expression and Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis in the
Rats
Nevra Aydemir Celep*1,2, Elif Erbaş1,
Hülya Kara3 and Adem Kara4
1Atatürk
University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Histology
and Embryology, Erzurum/Turkey
2Atatürk
University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology,
Erzurum/Turkey
3Atatürk
University, Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Turkey
4Erzurum
Technical University, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Erzurum/Turkey
*Corresponding author:
nevraaydemir@hotmail.com
Abstract
This study explores the
impact of silymarin, a potent natural flavonoid with robust antioxidant
properties, on paclitaxel-induced lung injury. Paclitaxel, a widely used
chemotherapeutic agent for cancer, is known for its adverse effects on various
organs. The research involved four groups: the Control group (6 animals)
received oral saline; the SIL group (6 animals) received 200 mg/kg silymarin
orally for 10 days; the PAX group (6 animals) received intraperitoneal
paclitaxel (2 mg/kg) for 5 days; and the PAX+SIL group (6 animals) received both
treatments. All groups were sacrificed on the 10th day. Histopathological
analysis revealed pathological changes in the lung tissue of the PAX group.
Immunopositivity of Bax, iNOS, Nf-kB, and IL-6 antibodies was higher in the PAX
group compared to silymarin-treated groups. Conversely, Bcl-2 and MUC1
immunopositivity was lower in the PAX group but higher in silymarin-treated
groups. Silymarin administration decreased IL-6, Caspase-3, P2x7 and NF-kB p65
immunoreactivity, while increased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity. Protein expression
levels of IL-6, Caspase-3, P2x7, and NF-κB were higher in the PAX group but
decreased in the PAX+SIL group. Bcl-2 protein expression was lower in the PAX
group but higher in the PAX+SIL group. Additionally, antioxidant enzyme levels
increased, while MDA levels decreased in the PAX+SIL group. In conclusion, the
findings indicate that silymarin effectively ameliorated paclitaxel-induced lung
damage, highlighting its potential therapeutic role in mitigating
chemotherapy-related side effects.
To Cite This Article:
Celep NA, Erbaş E, Kara A and Kara H, 2024.
Silymarin reduces paclitaxel-induced lung damage via down-regulating P2X7R
expression and inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis in the rats. Pak Vet J, 44(1): 169-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2024.129