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, had a marked toxic response whereas the other responded poorly as judged fr om clinical parameters, blood biochemistry and pathology. Two lambs tr eated with penicillin, glucose and silymarin 7 and 24 h after larvae d osing were not affected by toxicosis, whereas 2 lambs treated similarl y 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.