Putative effect of silymarin on sawfly (Arge pullata)-induced hepatotoxicosis in sheep

The prevention of hepatotoxicity from sawfly larvae (Arge pullata) was studied in 8 lambs by using silymarin, a botanical compound isolated from Silybum marianum. Of 2 lambs dosed orally with larvae only, 1 had a marked toxic response whereas the other responded poorly as judged from clinical parameters, blood biochemistry and pathology. Two lambs treated with penicillin, glucose and silymarin 7 and 24 h after larvae dosing were not affected by toxicosis, whereas 2 lambs treated similarly but without silymarin responded intermediate to the other 2 groups. Our study suggests a favorable effect using silymarin in treatment of sawfly larvae-induced ruminant hepatotoxicosis.