MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC CRITERIA OF THE SYNERGISTIC ACTION OF SILYBUM MARIANUM AND CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS IN CHRONIC CARBON MONOXIDE–INDUCED ESOPHAGEAL INJURY

Аннотация

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the synergistic action of Silybum marianum and Carthamus tinctorius in chronic carbon monoxide (CO)–induced esophageal injury. The experiment was conducted on white laboratory rats exposed to subtoxic concentrations of CO to induce a model of chronic hypoxia. Assessment included morphological examination and immunohistochemical evaluation of two key markers: the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. Chronic CO exposure resulted in epithelial destruction, impaired microcirculation, enhanced inflammation, decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased Ki-67 levels, indicating compensatory hyperplasia and apoptotic imbalance. Administration of Silybum marianum and Carthamus tinctorius led to partial restoration of the mucosal structure, reduction of proliferative activity, and normalization of Bcl-2 expression. The strongest protective effect was observed with their combined use, confirming a synergistic therapeutic interaction.