Putative effect of silymarin on sawfly (Arge pullata) -induced hepatotoxicosis in sheep
Thamsborg, S.M.; Jørgensen; Brummerstedt, E.; Bjerregard, J.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 38(2): 89-91
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 8693692 Document Number: 464362
The prevention of hepatotoxicity from sawfly larvae (A. pullata) was studied in 8 lambs by using silymarin, a botanical compound isolated from Silybum marianum. Two lambs were dosed orally with A. pullata larvae. One showed a marked toxic response and one was affected less severely as judged from clinical signs, blood biochemistry and pathology. Two lambs treated with penicillin, glucose and silymarin 7 and 24 h after larvae dosing showed no signs of toxicosis, whereas 2 lambs treated similarly but without silymarin showed an intermediate response. These results suggest that silymarin may be useful for treatment of sawfly larvae-induced hepatotoxicosis in ruminants.