Efficacy of silymarin-phospholipid complex in reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in broiler chicks

Department of Veterinary Science and Technology for Food Safety, Via Celoria, 10, 20133 Milan, Italy. doriana.tedesco@unimi.it

Silymarin, the standardized extract of Silybum marianum, is used as a hepatoprotector in man, and is a potent antihepatotoxic agent. This study focused on the effects of a silymarin-phospholipid complex in reducing the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. Twenty-one 14-d-old male commercial broilers were randomly allotted to 3 groups and treated as follows: basal diet alone [Group C (Control)]; AFB1 at 0.8 mg/kg of feed [Group B1]; AFB1 at 0.8 mg/kg of feed plus silymarin phytosome, a silymarin complexed form with phospholipids from soy, at 600 mg/kg of BW [Group B1+Sil]. Considering the whole growth cycle, BW gain and feed intake were lower in AFB1-treated birds with respect to controls (P < 0.05). In the B1+Sil group, BW gain and feed intake were higher with respect to birds receiving AFB1 alone (P < 0.05), and not different from the control birds. Serum biochemistry showed no difference among groups, except for a decrease of alanine amino transferase (ALT) in chicks treated only with AFB1. Alanine amino transferase activity in AFB1 plus silymarin phytosome treated birds was not different from the controls. No treatment differences were noted on liver weight. In conclusion, our results suggest that silymarin phytosome can provide protection against the negative effects of AFB1 on performance of broiler chicks.