Table 4.
Silymarin effects in different in vivo models of NAFLD.
| Parameter | Model | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liver histology | Rats (8–9 weeks old) + HFD (100 mg/kg daily orally) for 12 weeks |
Improved steatosis Reduced inflammatory foci |
[129] |
| Db/db mice (6 weeks old) + MCD 20 mg/kg daily IP (4 weeks) |
Improved steatosis | [123] | |
| Db/db mice (8 weeks old) + MCD 20 mg/kg daily IP (4 weeks) |
Improved steatosis Reduced lobular inflammation Decreased cell ballooning |
[102] | |
| OLETF rats + MCD 0.5% w/w of diet orally (8 weeks) |
Improvement of the NAS score Improvement of fibrosis (by reducing HSC activation) |
[116] | |
| Male rats + MCD diet 1 g seed powder/kg daily gavages (3 weeks) |
Improvement of steatosis, inflammation, and cell ballooning | [110] | |
| Gerbils + HFD 100 mg/kg daily by gastric intubation (8 weeks) |
Improved steatosis | [130] | |
| Rats (4–6 weeks old) + HFD 25 mg/kg daily intragastric (6 weeks) |
Decreased the fatty degeneration and the lobular inflammation |
[119] | |
| Glucose homeostasis |
Rats (8–9 weeks old) + HFD 100 mg/kg orally (12 weeks) |
Improved insulin sensitivity | [129] |
| Rats (8 weeks old) high-fructose diet 100–300 mg/kg daily orally (3 weeks) |
Decreased glycemia Decreased insulinemia Improved HOMA-IR |
[101] | |
| Db/db mice (6 weeks old) + MCD 20 mg/kg daily IP (4 weeks) |
Decreased glycemia Decreased insulinemia Improved HOMA-IR |
[123] | |
| Gerbils + HFD 100 mg/kg daily by gastric intubation (8 weeks) |
Decreased glycemia Decreased insulinemia |
[130] | |
| Rats (4–6 weeks old) + HFD 25 mg/kg daily intragastric (6 weeks) |
Improved HOMA-IR | [119] | |
| Oxidative stress | Db/db mice (6 weeks old) + MCD 20 mg/kg daily IP (4 weeks) |
Decreased lipoperoxidation Restored the GSH and nitrite/nitrate levels |
[123] |
| Db/db mice (8 weeks old) + MCD 20 mg/kg daily IP (4 weeks) |
Decreased lipoperoxidation, TBARS, and ROS | [102] | |
| Rats (8 weeks old) high-fructose diet 100–300 mg/kg daily orally (3 weeks) |
Decreased MDA and nitrite content | [101] | |
| Male rats + MCD diet 1 g seed powder/kg daily gavages (3 weeks) |
Decreased MDA and improved GSH | [110] | |
| Gerbils + HFD 100 mg/kg daily by gastric intubation (8 weeks) |
Decreased lipoperoxidation | [130] |