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Neurotrophic and antioxidant effects of silymarin comparable to 4-methylcatechol in protection against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs

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Abstract

Background

Despite that gentamicin is a very effective aminoglycoside, its potential ototoxicity which is of irreversible nature makes a challenge and limitation for its use. This study was designed to investigate possible neurotrophic and antioxidant effects of silymarin comparable to 4-methylcatechol in protection against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity.

Methods and results

Twenty pigmented guinea pigs were divided into four equal groups, where group I served as normal control group. The other groups received gentamicin (120 mg/kg/day, ip) for 19 days where group II given vehicle of 1% CMC, group III and group IV were pre-treated 2 h before gentamicin by 4-methylcatechol (10 μg/kg, ip) and silymarin (100 mg/kg, oral gavage), respectively. The main findings indicated that silymarin exhibited restoration of nerve growth factor (NGF) levels and increased tropomyosin-related kinase receptors-A (Trk-A) m-RNA expression in cochlear tissue and preservation of hair cells of organ of Corti by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with significant decrease in auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold compared to 4-methylcatechol. Only silymarin caused significant amelioration in oxidative stress state by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing catalase activity.

Conclusions

Silymarin exerts superiority over 4-methylcatechol when recommended as protective agent against gentamicin ototoxicity based on its efficient neurotrophic and antioxidant activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Eman I. Draz

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Amany A. Abdin

  3. Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Naglaa I. Sarhan

  4. Department of Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Takwa A. Gabr

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  1. Eman I. Draz
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  2. Amany A. Abdin
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Correspondence to Amany A. Abdin.

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Draz, E.I., Abdin, A.A., Sarhan, N.I. et al. Neurotrophic and antioxidant effects of silymarin comparable to 4-methylcatechol in protection against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs. Pharmacol. Rep 67, 317–325 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2014.10.007

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