Protective and therapeutic effect of silymarin on the development of latent liver damage.

Radioprotective and therapeutical effect of silymarin (Flavobion) on development and repair of latent injury in rat liver was examined by its application during the continual gamma irradiation (dose rates 0.2 and 0.6 Gy/day) or after acute gamma irradiation (dose 6 Gy). Silymarin influence was evaluated on the basis of mitotic index and chromosomal aberration frequency in the liver regenerating after partial hepatectomy. We have found that silymarin application stimulates the process of liver regeneration in non-irradiated rats as well as in irradiated ones. Positive effect of silymarin (100 mg per kg p.o. ones per day) was manifested at both dose rates of continual irradiation with increase in mitotic activity and mitigation of chromosomal erration frequency in the regenerating liver in comparison with non-protected irradiated animals. Curative effect of silymarin (70 mg/kg p.o., twice per day) was shown especially after 14 days of its postradiation application.