The Protective Effect of Silymarin against Ochratoxin A Induced Histopathological and Biochemical Changes in Chicks

Protective effects of herbal feed additive Silymarin against the deleterious toxic effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on internal organs and blood biochemistry was seen. The observed histopathological and biochemical changes were well expressed in OTA-exposed chicks without Silymarin supplementation, followed by chicks treated supplementary with Silymarin in addition to OTA treatment, whereas no pathological changes were seen in the control chicks or the chicks treated with Silymarin only. The observed increase in the serum levels of uric acid, glucose and the enzyme activity of AST and ALT in OTA treated chicks and the found decrease of the same biochemical indices in the chicks protected by Silymarin in addition to OTA treatment also supported the protective effects of this herbal additive on the kidneys and liver. The same herbal substance Silymarin could be used as a practical approach for safely utilizing of OTA-contaminated feed. Key words: ochratoxin A, protection, herbal additive, Silymarin, blood biochemistry, pathomorphology