The Role of Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum ) on Cisplatin‐Induced Genotoxicity in Albino Rats

ABSTRACT Cisplatin is among the most importa anticancer drugs. Nevertheless, there are a lot of toxicities connected to its use, particularly nephrotoxicity. This study investigated the effects of milk thistle flower extract on cisplatin‐induced kidney damage in male albino rats. The rats were divided into five groups: normal control, cisplatin (3 mg kg −1 ), milk thistle (100 mg kg −1 for 7 days), cisplatin followed by milk thistle, and milk thistle followed by cisplatin. Results showed that rats treated with cisplatin had higher serum creatinine and blood urea levels, while those treated with milk thistle extract had lower levels. The extract also reduced the damage to bone marrow DNA single stranded breaks and prevented DNA damage caused by cisplatin. The study also found that cisplatin was responsible for chromosomal abnormalities and abnormalities in the sperm head.