Possible ameliorative effects of silymarin on gibberellic acid-induced pancreatic dysfunction in adult female rats and their pups

Background: Gibberellic acid (GA3) is frequently applied in agriculture to stimulate flowering & fruit growth. Owing to its persistence in the soil for months, it may cause harm to human health. Silymarin is a herbal drug commonly known as hepatoprotective agent. Aim: To reveal the outcomes of exposure to GA3 on the pancreatic functions in late days of gestation and early lactation and to elucidate the possible protective role of silymarin on these alterations if present and the pathophysiological pathways. Materials and Methods: 18 lactating Albino rats & 18 pups were classified into control group, GA3-treated group: received GA3 dissolved in drinking water (55 mg/kg/day), and silymarin & GA3-treated group: administered both GA3 & 100 mg/kg silymarin during the last week of pregnancy & the first 2 weeks of lactation. Serum levels of glucose, insulin & amylase were measured. Pancreatic tissue homogenate was used for the assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) & tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Additionally, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological examination. Results: Administration of GA3 impaired pancreatic functions in dams and pups namely, elevated serum levels of glucose and amylase & reduced insulin levels accompanied with significant increased oxidative stress & inflammatory markers in pancreatic homogenate and altered the general histological pancreatic appearance. Co-treatment with silymarin potently improved these biochemical & histological alterations. Conclusion: Silymarin attenuates GA3-induced alterations in pancreatic functions through cytoprotecting actions on pancreatic exo- and endo-crine cells.