Protective Properties of Milk Thistle in Aquaculture: A Study on its Role in Mitigating Supracide-Induced Stress in Fish

This investigation sought to comprehensively evaluate the protective properties of Milk Thistle seeds against Supracide-induced oxidative stress in the Marbled Spinefoot fish. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was employedto identify metabolites present in Silybum marianum seeds. The LC50 value of organophosphorous insecticide wasdetermined as 7.5 μg L-1 through a 24-hour bath exposure. The experimental setup involved a 14-day dietarysupplementation of S. marianum seeds followed by exposure to the determined Supracide LC50. Various physiologicalparameters, including lipid degradation, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Totalcholesterol (T.ch) levels, were measured to assess fish health and stress. Additionally, histopathological examinations wereconducted on the hepatopancreas tissues of both normal and stressed fish. The obtained results indicated significant increases(P<0.05) in serum ALT and LDH activities in the group of fish exposed to the toxin. Moreover, the levels of lipidperoxidation products in hepatopancreas homogenates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the exposed fish group, exceptfor total cholesterol, which exhibited a significant decrease. Histological analysis further revealed notable tissuemodifications in the examined organs, while the control group of fish exhibited normal appearance. Taken together, thesefindings suggest that Milk thistle seeds may possess protective effects against Supracide-induced oxidative stress inchallenged S. rivulatus fish. As a result, this study provides valuable insights into potential alternative ameliorating agentsfor addressing aquaculture contamination caused by organophosphate insecticides.