Objective: The liver is an important organ that is actively involved in metabolic functions and targeted by a number of toxicants. Galectin-8 (Gal-8) is downregulated in liver fibrosis. Reduced Gal-8 expression correlates with inflammation and metastasis. Therefore, this study aimed to further investigate the benefits of combined administration of silymarin and ginger for CCl4-induced liver injuries in mice. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective activity of these herbal drugs and evaluated the role of Gal-8 and apoptosis in liver fibrosis.
Materials and methods: Eighty male albino mice were used in this study. Animals were divided into the following groups: control group, fibrotic group, silymarin and ginger group. The CCL4 model was used for the induction of liver fibrosis.
Results: Gal-8 expression was reduced in the fibrotic group, while Gal-8 expression was increased in the ginger group and silymarin and ginger group. Tissue levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were markedly increased in the fibrotic group but decreased in the silymarin and ginger group. Additionally, tissue caspase-3 activity and antioxidant markers were decreased in the fibrotic group. However, these markers were increased in the silymarin and ginger group.
Conclusions: Gal-8 is a diagnostic and/or prognostic glycoprotein for liver fibrosis. The combination of silymarin and ginger has protective liver action and reduces the severity and incidence of liver fibrosis.