Effect of Silymarin on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant status, and gene expression in Nile tilapia

Dear colleagues,

This week we have chosen an interesting article that demonstrates the high potential of silymarin in fish nutrition. Specifically, the trial was conducted on Nile tilapia.

Several trials in various species demonstrate the hepatoprotective potential of silymarin, protecting and improving several key liver functions such as detoxification capacity, immune response, anabolism, and if the liver produces most of the body’s glutathione, it is normal for the animal’s oxidative status to improve significantly.

The results of this trial show that the highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were obtained by fish fed a diet supplemented with S. marianum.

Furthermore, the lowest levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were recorded in fish fed the diet supplemented with S. marianum.

The results also show that the highest total antioxidant enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, was obtained by fish fed the diet supplemented with S. marianum.

The greatest accumulation of growth hormone transcripts was detected in the pituitary gland of fish fed the diet supplemented with S. marianum.

Similarly, the highest expression of immunoglobulin M-2 (IGM2) was detected in the liver of fish fed with S. marianum.

Finally, just to remind you that only the seed has been used in this trial, but if we use the extract and enhance it as we are doing at NBG with HHH technology applied to NBG HepatoShield, the required dose and efficacy of Silymarin will be greatly improved.

In the following essays, we will show you another use of silymarin against mycotoxins and explain why it is much more effective to protect the liver against mycotoxins than to try to adsorb all the toxins if the levels are very high.

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