Abstract

Background: Alcohol use and abuse have been rampant worldwide, and therapeutic regimen has been sought for to ameliorate changes brought about by such. Herbal medicines have been mostly used due to their inherent properties and non-toxic effects in the body. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if ginseng and silymarin can provide protective effects to prevent liver fibrosis and renal destruction in mice (Mus musculus).
Materials and Methods: Thirty laboratory mice were randomly placed in six groups, each with five mice. Treatments were introduced for the next 3 weeks (21 days). Food pellets were mixed with 0.10 mL silymarin or 0.10 mL ginseng with 20% ethanol v/v water was given. Group 1 was given local food pellets and mineral water, Group 2 was given local food pellets and 20% ethanol, Group 3 given ginseng food pellets and mineral water, Group 4 given silymarin food pellets and mineral water, Group 5 given ginseng food pellets and 20% ethanol, and Group 6 given silymarin food pellets and 20% ethanol. At the end of the treatment period, the mice were sacrificed through cervical dislocation, and the liver and kidneys were extracted and processed for histological analysis.
Results: Both liver and kidneys showed extensive damage in the group treated with 20% ethanol. Silymarin and ginseng were both able to protect the liver, though there were more protective effects when treated with silymarin as compared to ginseng. Conclusion: It can be concluded that silymarin and ginseng may have protective effects against hepatic and renal insults and damage.