COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE CHEMICAL AND MEDICINAL EFFECTS OF INDIGENOUS Silybum marianum FROM EGYPT AND MEDICINAL SILYMARIN FROM CHINA ON THE TREATMENT OF LIVER FIBROSIS ON FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Liver fibrosis is one of the common problems affecting on the human health. Many herbal and medicinal plants and their extracts are widely studied. The medical Chinese silymarin got a bright reputation in relieve the liver fibrosis. A total of 72 female Albino rats were divided into six groups; G1 (Control), G2 (Fibrosis), G3 (Chinese silymarin), G4 (Fibrosis + Chinese silymarin), G5 (Egyptian silymarin extract), G6 (Fibrosis + Egyptian silymarin extract). Results showed that, serum liver enzymes activities (ALT, AST and GGT) and tissues MDA were significantly decreased in G6 compared to those in G2 and G4. Serum total protein and tissues GST, CAT enzymes activities, total thiol and TAC were significantly increased in G6 as compared to G2 and G4. The results revealed that, the Egyptian plant extract improved liver function and its oxidative stress parameters in comparison with the Chinese silymarin, in case of liver fibrosis. Also, GC-MS showed that the Egyptian silymarin has more peaks than that of Chinese silymarin. The smaller peak area in the Egyptian silymarin extract was about one third the big one in the Chinese silymarin. The Egyptian silymarin extract have extra components that needs further study for its identification.