Abstract

Background:
Herbal extracts are increasingly being utilized in veterinary medicine, with milk thistle extract being recognized for its significant role animal health, and milk thistle extract is widely acknowledged for its crucial contribution in supporting liver function. Camels are among the animals whose liver enzymes are often altered, which can have a detrimental effect on their health.

Aim:
This study investigated the therapeutic effects of milk thistle extract on body scores and hematological and biochemical parameters in dromedary camels with elevated liver enzyme levels.

Methods:
This study was conducted on 18 dromedary camels (eight males and ten females). The camels were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of five healthy camels with normal liver enzyme levels and the second group consisted of 13 camels with elevated liver enzyme levels. The prepared milk thistle extract from seeds was subjected to phytochemical and GC MS analyses. The camel in the second group orally received milk thistle extract, which was calculated based on Silymarin concentration for six weeks. The clinical score and hematological and biochemical analyses were performed in control and diseased camels before and after treatment.

Results:
The health and appetite scores showed significant improvements after treatment. The percentage of lymphocytes increased in diseased camels following treatment, whereas the percentage of eosinophils decreased in healthy camels. After 42 days of milk thistle treatment, liver enzymes, including ALP, GGT, TBIL, and BUN, improved in diseased camels. However, other biochemical parameters, including total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB), decreased in the affected animals compared with the healthy animals, whereas these parameters improved closer to normal values after treatment.

Conclusion:
Our data provide important evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of milk thistle extract in dromedary camels with liver disorders.

Key words: Blood; Camel; Liver; Milk thistle; Silymarin.