Nativa, Sinop, v. 11, n. 2, p. 272-276, 2023.
Pesquisas Agrárias e Ambientais
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31413/nativa.v11i2.15895
ISSN: 2318-7670
Concentrations of silymarin on the rumen activities in lambs
Tamara Natik DAWOOD1*
1 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
*E-mail: tamara.natiq@covm.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Submitted on 07/19/2023; Accepted on 08/14/2023; Published on 08/24/2023
ABSTRACT: Silymarin is derived from the milk thistle plant, and possesses numerous pharmacological
actions, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The aim of the
study was to the determination of influence different concentrations of Silymarin on the rumen performance
in 30 local lambs (divided into three groups of 10 lambs each). In the first and second groups, 420 and 210 mg
kg-1 of silymarin were administered for 8 weeks, and the third group was the control, which received normal
saline solution. The parameters evaluated included the level of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia and pH in
the rumen. Furthermore, the in vitro digestibility of ash, protein, fat and dry matter was investigated. These
parameters were examined fortnightly, for eight weeks. The results showed that the level of volatile fatty acids
and pH increased in the rumen in G1 and G2 compared to the control group, while the level of ammonia
decreased in the rumen in G1 and G2 when compared to G3 (p<0.05). Silymarin increased the in vitro
digestibility of crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF) and crude dry matter (CDM) in the rumen
of lambs. These results indicate that silymarin can improve the digestibility of nutrient elements in the lamb
rumen.
Keywords: ammonia; digestibility; crude ash; crude protein; crude fat.
Concentrações de silimarina nas atividades ruminais de cordeiros
RESUMO: A silimarina é derivada da planta do cardo mariano e possui inúmeras ações farmacológicas,
incluindo propriedades hepatoprotetoras, anti-inflamatórias, antioxidantes e anticancerígenas. O objetivo do
estudo foi determinar a influência de diferentes concentrações de silimarina no desempenho ruminal de 30
cordeiros locais, divididos em três grupos (de 10 cordeiros cada). No primeiro e segundo grupo foi administrado
420 e 210 mg kg-1 de silimarina durante 8 semanas, e, o terceiro grupo foi o controle, que recebeu solução salina
normal. Os parâmetros avaliados incluíram o nível de ácidos graxos voláteis (AGVs), amônia e pH no rúmen.
Além disso, investigou-se a digestibilidade in vitro de cinzas, proteínas, gorduras e matéria seca. Esses
parâmetros foram examinados quinzenalmente, durante oito semanas. Os resultados mostraram que o nível de
ácidos graxos voláteis e pH aumentaram no rúmen em G1 e G2, em comparação com o grupo controle,
enquanto, o nível de amônia diminuiu no rúmen em G1 e G2 quando comparado com G3 (p<0,05). A
silimarina aumentou a digestibilidade in vitro da cinza bruta (CA), proteína bruta (PB), gordura bruta (CF) e
matéria seca bruta (CDM) no rúmen dos cordeiros. Esses resultados indicam que silimarina pode melhorar a
digestibilidade dos elementos nutrientes no rúmen do cordeiro.
Palavras-chave: amônia; digestibilidade; cinza bruta; proteína bruta; gordura bruta.
1. INTRODUCTION
Silymarin is a compound that is taken from seeds of milk
thistle and used for the treatment of liver diseases. Silymarin
is composed of flavonolignan isomers (LEE et al., 2007).
Silymarin is used in the management and treatment of many
diseases for improved the organs' function (VANGAVETI
et al., 2021; OMMATI et al., 2021). Silymarin decrease the
liver enzymes (GTP) and (AST) in rats (SHAKER et al.,
2010).
Silymarin consists mostly of an isomeric combination of
six phenolic chemicals, namely silydianin, silychristin, silybin,
and isosilybin. Silymarin has been used to treat liver diseases.
It inhibits carcinogenesis and has effects as antidiabetic,
hypolipidaemic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective
(KREN AND WALTEROVA, 2005).
The milk thistle is contains silybin, silychristin, apigenin.
The sheep, goats, and cows feed the milk thistle, but there is
low data about its digestibility, health effects, and
performance. The rumen fermentation and the dry matter
intake were affected by the milk thistle diets. The Milk thistle
has essential oils 25-20% oil, which can be increased feed
intake. silybum marianum decreased rumen ammonia level
(MOJADDAM et al., 2015).
The milk thistle has an active compound if silymarin
(POST-WHITE et al., 2007; EL-GHANY et al., 2022).
Silymarin contains flavonolignans, such as silychristin,
silydianin, isosilybin, dehydrosilybin, and a few flavonoids.
Silymarin was used for the treatment of some diseases in
cows. silymarin has a role in increasing the efficiency the
rumen digestion and ruminal fermentation (KŘÍŽOVÁ et al.,
2011).
During the last period of pregnancy, the intake of dry
matter decreases. In this case, Silymarin is used to increase
the digestibility of dry matter in the rumen, also, used in the
Dawood
Nativa, Sinop, v. 11, n. 2, p. 272-276, 2023.
273
treatment of liver metabolic diseases. Silymarin was work as
an antioxidant and decreased liver enzymes (ONMAZ et al.,
2017).
The current study aimed to investigate the effects of
Silymarin on the level of some rumen parameters in lambs,
including levels of VFA, Ammonia, and PH in the lamb's
rumen, as well as, in vitro Digestibility of Ash, Protein, Fat,
and Dry matter in the rumen of lambs after being treated by
Silymarin orally at two different doses.
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
2.1. Animals and Experimental design
30 Awassi lambs (Ovis aries) were divided into three
groups, each group consisting of 10 lambs. The first and
second groups administrated 420 and 201 mg Kg-1 daily of
silymarin for 8 weeks, while G3 administrated normal saline
at 0.9% concentration. The used parameters in the current
study are included the determination of the level of VFA,
Ammonia, and pH in the rumen. It also, investigated in
Digestibility of Ash, Protein, Fat, and Dry matter in the
rumen. The parameters are examined every biweekly for eight
weeks. Under the supervision of the approved institutional
Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation at the Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, and in strict
line with European and National Law for the Care and Use
of Animals 575\P.G. Efforts were taken throughout the
period of the trial to minimize pain and discomfort. The
animals did not receive any sedatives or anesthesia.
2.2. Sample collection
The samples taken in the current study were rumen
samples which are collected from the rumen directly by using
gastric lavage after fixing the animals to avoid extreme
movement. The samples are put in containers and sent to the
lab to make an examination. The used parameters in the
present work are included volatile fatty acids (VFAs),
Ammonia, pH, and the digestibility of ash, protein, fat, and
dry matter in the rumen.
2.2.1. VFA level
: The volatile fatty acids were determined by
the Lepper method (ALÇIÇEK; ÖZKAN, 1996).
2.2.2. Ammonia
: it is measured according to the method of
(KAPLAN, 1969).
2.2.3. pH
: The pH levels were measured immediately by
a digital pHmeter (Benchtop pH/ORP Meter, BEP-M210).
2.2.4.
Rumen fluids Aspiration:
1- The Rumen fluids were collected by a special tube using
a manual pump; from the rumen directly (10) mL then
placed in a closed plastic tube (50) mL after adding HCl
(5) mL then frozen.
2- The samples were centrifuged at 3000 RPM (25) minutes
after thawing to remove the precipitate substances to
yellow fluid.
3- The ruminal fluid (0.5) mL is added with (MgO) and
(CaCl) (0.5) g. The mixture is measured by the collected
tube.
4- Dilution of the solution in the flask HCl (0.05%) and
mixing until the color of the methylene red is converted
into purple to determine the Ammonia level (AOAC,
2005).
2.3. Digestibility examination:
The in vitro digestibility measurements were made using
the Ankom Daisy II method according to Damiran et al.
(2008). The inoculum was obtained from rumen samples of
lamb that were fed 60% roughage and 40% concentrated
feed. The rumen fluid was taken after two hours after feed
delivery and then put inside the thermos. Mixing of the
solutions was done at (a 5:1) ratio, and adding buffer solution
(1.800) mL was to the vessels. Vessels were placed in the
incubator which was equilibrated to 39°C. After the
incubation, the bags were rinsed with water until the water
become clear then put in an air oven (105°C) to dry for (120-
240) minutes. Feed samples were also analyzed for in vitro
dry matter, Ash, Protein, and Fat digestibility.
The digestibility of a nutrient is determined by the
difference between the nutrient ingested amount minus the
nutrient amount extracted from the rumen directly by rumen
lavage after two hours, expressed as a percentage of the
nutrient ingested: 100 x (intake – samples extracted after two
hours from rumen)/intake.
2.4. Statistical analysis:
The data are represented as (mean ± SD). Two-way
ANOVA and LSD made the comparisons. (0.05) level of
probability was used as the significance. SPSS software (27)
is used for performing the comparisons (DANIEL, 2009).
3. RESULTS
Results of the present study showed that the level of
volatile fatty acids (VFA) (mmol/100 mL) were highly
significant differences in treated groups (G1 and G2) than
the control group at a significant level (p<0.05) along the
study period (Table 1). The level of volatile fatty acids (VFA)
was decreased significantly in G1 at 6th week, while G2
recorded a significant decrease in the last week (p<0.05).
The findings showed that the level of Ammonia (mg/100
mL) decreased in G1 and G2 than in G3 at (p<0.05). While
ammonia decreased significantly (p<0.05) in G1 and G2 at
the 6th and 8th periods compared with 2nd and 4th weeks of
the study (Table 1). The findings showed that pH was
increased in G1 than in other groups at (p<0.05). pH was
decreased in G1 in the last period however, pH of G2
showed significant (p<0.05) at the 6th week, as shown in
Table 1.
Digestibility of ash was increased in G1 than in G2 and
G3 at (P<0.05) along all studied periods. The digestibility
percentage of Ash was decreased in G1 the 6th and 8th weeks
than in the other periods at (p<0.05), while G2 recorded a
significantly lower value in the last period of the study as
shown in Table 2.
Digestibility of crude protein (CP) was increased in G1
than in G2 and G3 at (p<0.05). Digestibility of Crude Protein
% was decreased in G2 significantly (p<0.05) decreased at
the sixth week compared with other weeks (Table 2).
Crude fat (CF) digestibility was higher in G1 than in the
other groups (p<0.05). From the middle of the second period
until the end of the experiment, G1 had a lower crude fat
(CF) digestibility than the other groups. As can be seen in the
table below, G2 values dropped significantly from 6th week
onwards compared to the rest of the research (Table 2).
Concentrations of silymarin on the rumen activities in lambs
Nativa, Sinop, v. 11, n. 2, p. 272-276, 2023.
274
Digestibility of Crude Dry matter (CDM) was increased
in G1 than in other groups at a significant level (p<0.05).
Digestibility of Crude Dry matter (CDM) was decreased in
G3 than in G2 at (p<0.05). however, CDM% showed non
significant differences in the different periods as shown in
Table 2.
Table 1. Levels of VFAs, ammonia and pH ruminal, in three study groups of lambs, throughout the 8 weeks.
Tabela 1. Níveis de AGVs, amônia e pH ruminal, nos três grupos de cordeiros estudados, ao longo das 8 semanas
Groups 2nd 4th 6th 8th
VFAs (mmol/100 mL)
G1 4.60 ± 0.42 Aa
4.90 ± 0.61 Aa 5.20 ± 0.44 Ab 5.60 ± 0.29 Ac
G2 3.10 ± 0.65 Ba 3.20 ± 0.51 Ba 3.30 ± 0.60 Ba 3.40 ± 0.31 Bb
G3 2.85 ± 0.15 Ca 2.82 ± 0.90 Ca 2.81 ± 0.06 Ca 2.87 ± 0.8 Ca
Ammonia (mg /100 mL)
G1 8.04 ± 1.1 Ca 7.67 ± 0.8 Ca 7.40 ± 2.3 Cb 7.73 ± 1.9 Cb
G2 8.47 ± 1.1 Ba 8.06 ± 1.0 Ba 7.70 ± 2.0 Bb 8.21 ± 2.0 Bb
G3 8.88 ± 1.3 Aa 8.42 ± 0.8 Aa 8.08 ± 2.3 Aa 8.66 ± 2.2 Aa
pH
G1 6.65±0.05Aa 6.67±0.23Aa 6.70±0.18Aa 6.75±0.10Ab
G2 6.59±0.05Ba 6.61±0.20Ba 6.65±0.21Bb 6.70±0.09Ac
G3 6.51±0.10Ca 6.53±0.22Ca 6.52±0.17Ca 6.54±0.11Ca
The capital letters are used for comparing the cells vertically, while the small letters are used for comparing the cells horizontally at (p<0.05).
As letras maiúsculas são usadas para comparar as células verticalmente, enquanto as letras minúsculas são usadas para comparar as células horizontalmente
em (P<0,05).
Table 2. Digestibility of ash, crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF) and crude dry matter, in three study groups of lambs, throughout the 8
weeks.
Tabela 2. Digestibilidade de cinzas, proteína bruta (PB), gordura bruta (CF) e matéria seca bruta, nos três grupos de cordeiros estudados, ao
longo das 8 semanas
Groups 2nd 4th 6th 8th
Ash (%)
G1 76.2 ± 2.2 Aa
77.2 ± 1.2 Aa 78.2 ± 1.5 Ab 79.2 ± 1.7 Ab
G2 73.2 ± 1.9 Ba 74.2 ± 1.8 Ba 74.2 ± 1.7 Ba 75.2 ± 2.2 Bb
G3 70.2 ± 3.2 Ca 70.3 ± 3.0 Ca 70.6 ± 2.9 Ca 71.0 ± 2.1 Ca
Crude protein – CP (%)
G1 77.4 ± 1.3 Aa 78.6 ± 1.0 Aa 77.9 ± 1.1 Aa 78.9 ± 1.0 Aa
G2 73.6 ± 1.6 Ba 74.6 ± 1.1 Ba 75.7 ± 1.3 Bb 74.9 ± 1.7 Ba
G3 71.3 ± 1.5 Ca 70.8 ± 1.2 Ca 71.6 ± 1.7 Ca 70.9 ± 1.3 Ca
Crude fat – CF (%)
G1 84.4 ± 1.0 Aa 87.6 ± 1.0 Ab 87.9 ± 1.1 Ab 86.9 ± 1.1 Ab
G2 81.6 ± 1.3 Ba 82.6 ± 1.3 Ba 83.7 ± 1.5 Bb 82.9 ± 1.4 Ba
G3 78.3 ± 1.1 Ca 78.8 ± 1.2 Ca 78.6 ± 1.7 Ca 78.9 ± 1.3 Ca
Crude dry matter – CDM (%)
G1
78.2
±
2.6
78.4
±
1.3
78.4
±
1.9
Aa
79.2
±
1.3
Aa
G2 74.4 ± 1.3 Ba 73.7 ± 2.2 Ba 75.7 ± 1.4 Ba 74.3 ± 1.8 Ba
G3 70.3 ± 2.1 Ca 70.3 ± 1.1 Ca 70.3 ± 1.4 Ca 70.3 ± 1.2 Ca
The capital letters are used for comparing the cells vertically, while the small letters are used for comparing the cells horizontally at (p<0.05).
As letras maiúsculas são usadas para comparar as células verticalmente, enquanto as letras minúsculas são usadas para comparar as células horizontalmente
em (P<0,05).
4. DISCUSSION
The study was conducted for the first time in Iraq and the
world by studying the effect of silymarin on some functional
profiles of lamb rumen and their digestibility.
When compared to the control group, animals given
Silymarin had significantly higher levels of volatile fatty acids
in both G1 and G2 (p<0.05). The volatile Fatty Acids formed
in the rumen are butyric acid, propionic acid, and acetic acid.
Rumen microbes can ferment carbohydrates into volatile
fatty acids by the corresponding enzymes (WANG et al.,
2020).
VFAs formed carbohydrates fermentation (CEBRA et al.,
2014). VFAs are formed for energy providing (DIJKSTRA,
1994). VFAs are important for anaerobic digestion,
decomposing organics, and forming methane and CO2
(ANDERSON; YANG, 1992).
The level of Ammonia was decreased in G1 and G2 in the
rumen treated with silymarin than in the control group at
(p<0.05). Rumen microbes trans NPN to ammonia by
urease. The ammonia is combined with ketoacid to form the
amino acids. Rumen microbes have a role in urea hydrolysis,
for form ureases that degrade the urea to CO2 and ammonia.
Ammonia is used for the synthesis of proteins. The rumen
microbes break down the protein into ammonia and amino
acids (GETAHUN et al., 2019).
Decreasing the ammonia level in the lamb rumen in our
study may attribute to an increased level of pH (acidosis and
alkalosis meter) due to an increased level of Volatile fatty
acids that neutralize the alkalinity of the ammonia. pH was
increased in G1 and G2 in the rumen treated with Silymarin
than in the control group at (p<0.05). The watery solution
pH of Silymarin ranged (5-6), in addition to silymarin stimuli
Dawood
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275
to the generation of volatile fatty acids; all these factors
stimuli increase PH (SURAI et al., 2015).
Digestibility of ash, protein, fat, and dry matter was
increased in G1 and G2 in the rumen treated with Silymarin
than the control group at (p<0.05). The digestibility of the
silymarin was perfect in the rumen (KŘÍŽOVÁ et al., 2011).
Silymarin in the broiler diet has enhanced growth,
digestibility of the nutrient, microflora, meat quality, and
blood profile (SHANMUGAM et al., 2022).
Adding micelle silymarin 0.2% to the diet is enhancing
the growth performance, fecal gas emission, digestibility,
meat quality, and microbial content, in the pigs (KOO et al.,
2022). The digestibility of silymarin in hours increases
digestible energy, protein, fat, and ash. Silymarin increases the
digestibility of flavonolignans when it is provided daily
(DOCKALOVA et al., 2021).
Milk thistle seeds contain 75% flavonolignans and 25%
polymeric and oxidized polyphenolic compounds. Milk
thistle seeds are used orally to promote liver health, stimulate
milk production, and reduce the risk of gallstones. Body
weight, serum total protein, and liver enzymes were all
improved after milk thistle was given to Japanese quail. In
quail, milk thistle has been shown to boost immunity, growth,
and feed conversion (KHAZAEI et al., 2022). Silymarin
increases the general growth, digestibility of nutrients, and
meat quality in pigs. The total digestibility of nitrogen was
increased (ZHANG; KIM, 2022). A study by FARYADI et
al. (2021) found that nano-silymarin improved hen
performance and egg quality as asserted by our results.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Silymarin increases VFAs, and PH and decreases
ammonia in the rumen. Also, the study proved that Silymarin
could improvement of the digestibility of the nutrient
elements in the rumen of the lamb.
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Acknowledgments: At the Veterinary Medicine Laboratory and
Farm animal, both sheep and research were conducted.
Additionally, the author is grateful to Ms. Enas Kareem for her
assistance with the laboratory work. The author wants to thank
Ghassan Khudhair, from the Veterinary Medicine College at
Qadissiyah University, for his assistance and consultation in rumen
fluids parameters. My special thanks go to Ms. Istabraq Al Ameri,
who assisted me with paper structure and English grammar.
Author Contributions: E.K. for her assistance with the laboratory
work; G.K. for his assistance in rumen Ph; My special thanks to I.
A for English grammar. All authors read and agreed to the published
version of the manuscript.
Funding: There is no fund.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement (Ethics Committee of the area):
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal
Experimentation at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Baghdad, and in strict line with European and National Law for
the Care and Use of Animals. (Decision no: 575\P.G.).
Data Availability Statement (how the data can be made
available): Study data can be obtained by request to the
corresponding author or the second author, via e-mail. It is not
available on the website as the research project is still under
development.
Conflicts of Interest: The author affirms that she has no financial
or personal affiliations that could unduly affect or skew the paper's
content.