Effect of Silymarin on Cathepsin Activity and Oxidative Stress in TNBS-induced Colitis in Rats

The purpose of the this study was to defined protective effects of silymarin on the experimental colitis induced by intra-colonic application of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The twenty eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly seperated into four groups, each group containing seven rats represent as follows: group 1 determined as control; group 2 determined as colitis-untreated; group 3 determined as colitis rats administered silymarin (50 mg/kg) and group 4 determined as colitis rats administered silymarin (100 mg/kg). Doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg silymarin decreased tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), cathepsin L and cathepsin B and activity of myleperoxidase (MPO) enzyme with respect to the colitis group (p<0.05). Based on the results of the study, it can be said that silymarin can be used as an effective treatment agent in inflammatory bowel diseases.