The use of a silymarin/phospholipid compound as a fetoprotectant from ethanol-induced behavioral deficits.

We have replicated an earlier study in which silymarin/phytosome appeared to prevent deficits in social memory function in male rats exposed in utero to ethanol (EtOH).1 Female rats were included in the current study as well as a second behavioral test, the radial arm maze. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were provided with liquid diets containing 35% ethanol derived calories (EDC). The silybin/phospholipid compound (SI) was co-administered with EtOH to the experimental group. The offspring were tested at age 90 days on the social recognition task and at 75 days on the radial arm maze. Female EtOH-exposed offspring performed more poorly on the radial arm maze than did female EtOH/SI offspring and the offspring of female controls. Male EtOH-exposed offspring were less able to form social memories than the male EtOH/SI offspring and the offspring of male controls.