Introduction. Hepatotoxicity is primarily-caused by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction; and, it is the principal factor that restricts the clinical efficacy of cyclophosphamide (Cpd), which is a chemotherapeutic drug that is frequently-used. The antioxidant capabilities have been demonstrated by dapagliflozin (Dapa), which is an inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2). Silymarin (Sil) is a chemical that is extracted from milk thistle. Researches have demonstrated that silymarin has hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Aim. This study aimed to compare the hepatoprotective effects of dapagliflozin to silymarin in a rat model of Cpd-induced liver injury.

Material and methods. Negative control, vehicle (2 % aqueous sodium carboxy methylcellulose CMC), Cpd (30 mg/kg/ day, Intraperitoneal (ip), Dapa + Cpd (3 mg/kg/day, oral), and Sil + Cpd (200 mg/kg/day, oral) were the five groups that were randomly assigned to fifty rats. Each group consisted of ten rats. Following a period of ten days, evaluation the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum; while, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme were all measured in liver tissues; and histological inspection was also performed on the samples.

Results and discussion. Levels of ALT, AST, and MDA were each considerably-increased by Cpd, while the levels of GSH and SOD were decreased ( P < 0.05). Treatment with either Dapa or Sil each with Cpd resulted in a significant amelioration of these alterations ( P < 0.05 compared to controls). The results of the study demonstrate that Dapa was more effective than Sil in lowering MDA levels and increasing of GSH and SOD levels ( P < 0.05). In the Dapa (Group IV), the histological examination revealed that the hepatic architecture had been intact, and there was only slight increase in vascular congestion.

Conclusion. Both dapagliflozin and silymarin each confer comparable hepatoprotective effects against Cpd-induced liver injury, possibly through attenuation of oxidative stress and preservation of hepatocyte integrity. The study adds to current evidence supporting the use of each of these agents in hepatic injury models. However, unlike the study of Satyam et al (2024) which investigated their combined effect, this study highlights their individual efficacy in a cyclophosphamide-specific toxicity model.