Comparative Anti-inflammatory and Oxidative Effects of Milk Thistle and Royal Jelly Against Hepatotoxicity of Imipramine in Rats

Background Imipramine is an antidepressant drug that with repeated administration can cause hepatic toxicity, which results in hepatic injury; hence the need for liver protection from toxicity by the use of hepatoprotactants, like milk thistle and royal jelly. Objective This study aims to comparatively evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of milk thistle and royal jelly, both as monotherapies and in combination, in a rat model of imipramine-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods Thirty adult female Albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 6).Group A: Negative control (1ml D.W.); Group B imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) ;Group C milk thistle (140 mg/kg/day ) and royal jelly (150 mg/kg/day); Group D milk thistle (140 mg/kg/day ) and imipramine (10 mg/kg); Group E royal jelly (150 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg); Group F milk thistle (140 mg/kg/day ), royal jelly (150 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg). All treatments were taken orally. At 4 weeks of treatment, rats will be sacrificed and anesthetized. Serum for the assessment of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Glutathione (GSH), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) will be collected. All the parameters were determined by ELISA. Results Imipramine group exhibited hepatotoxicity as reflected by the elevation of MDA and TNF alpha and reduction of GSH compared to the control group. In contrast, the change in IL-10 was insignificant. Royal jelly and milk thistle had a remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect by way of reduction of MDA and TNF alpha and elevation of GSH when compared to imipramine. Conclusion Both milk thistle and royal jelly have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action against imipramine hepatotoxicity.