(P03-088-23) Milk Thistle Formula Ameliorates Alcohol and Chemical-Induced Liver Damage in Zebrafish Model

Objectives: The liver is an important metabolic organ of the body, regulating many metabolic functions of the organism. The protection of liver function and the mitigation of liver damage due to alcohol or chemical causes has been a subject of interest for researchers. Many herbal ingredients have been used in liver protection research for many years, among which milk thistle is well known to researchers due to its significant efficacy. Besides, a well-balanced formula with milk thistle(262.5mg), turmeric(37.5mg), artichoke(20mg) , and  licorice(10mg) have achieved further results. The purpose of this study is to verify how this combination can better protect the liver through the zebrafish model.

Methods: After modeling chemical and alcoholic liver injury in zebrafish, we treated the zebrafish with five concentration gradients of formulations and tested the results containing antioxidant indicators MDA and GSH, liver enzymes ALT and AST, and liver sections stained to see the fat accumulation.

Results: Remarkably, the formula showed significant effect in reducing AST activity in zebrafish tissues on both liver injury models, though no significant result in reducing ALT activity. In the alcohol induced model, the formula also showed great anti-oxidant effect through the significant change on MDA and GSH content. Besides, the section study also showed that the cell structure is clear and no visible enlargement and significantly reduced number of fat-like vacuoles compared to model group.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that this milk thistle contained formula has great anti-oxidant effect and could lead to outstanding ability to maintain liver function and structure. The results suggest that the formula has great potential as a natural therapeutic agent for liver protection against alcohol and chemical-induced damage.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by H&H Group.