Silymarin attenuates oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic damage induced by a fungicide mixture in rat liver, kidney and brain

Fungicide exposure is associated with significant health hazards in both animals and humans. The present study examined the toxicological effects of a mixture of copper oxychloride, propiconazole, boscalid, and pyraclostrobin on the liver, kidney, and brain of male rats, and evaluated whether silymarin could counteract fungicide-associated injury. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to four groups: control, fungicide-treated, silymarin-treated, and fungicide and silymarin-treated. A panel of biochemical indices, oxidative stress measures, and inflammatory and apoptotic markers was quantified. In fungicide-treated rats, serum liver enzymes, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and uric acid were higher than in controls. Total protein, neurochemical, and electrolyte markers also decreased significantly. Fungicide exposure increased malondialdehyde and lowered total antioxidant capacity and other antioxidant defences; at the same time, inflammatory and apoptotic markers rose. When silymarin was given alongside the fungicide mixture, it substantially dampened these biochemical disturbances and strengthened antioxidant status; inflammatory and apoptotic responses were also reduced. In conclusion, the findings support the potential use of silymarin supplements as an additional protective agent against chemical toxicity.