Emna Talbi

Prof. Emna Talbi

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
3 June 2026 in Journal of Xenobiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IHImen HAMMAMI
Imen HAMMAMI
FAFatma Arrari
Fatma Arrari
RMRahma Mahjoub
Rahma Mahjoub
RARidha Ben Ali
Ridha Ben Ali
HHHaifa El Hentati
Haifa El Hentati
ETEmna Talbi
Emna Talbi
Cadmium is a widespread environmental xenobiotic that poses serious risks to hepatic, renal, and male reproductive functions. Natural compounds such as silymarin, a bioactive extract from Silybum marianum, have gained attention for their protective potential against xenobiotic-induced toxicity. This study investigated whether subchronic oral administration of silymarin (30 mg/kg) mitigates cadmium-induced toxicity (5 mg/kg) in adult rats over six weeks. Twenty-four rats were assigned to four groups: control, cadmium-exposed, silymarin-treated, and co-treated. Biochemical, hematological, oxidative stress, and reproductive parameters were assessed. Sperm quality was evaluated using CASA, and testicular tissues were examined histologically. Cadmium exposure significantly reduced body weight (−30.8%), elevated transaminases (AST, ALT; p < 0.01), increased serum creatinine and total cholesterol, and induced multi-organ oxidative stress, as reflected by elevated malondialdehyde and markedly reduced SOD, CAT, and thiol group levels in testicular, hepatic, and renal tissues (p < 0.01). Sperm concentration dropped from 75.2 to 21.8 × 106/mL, with total motility falling to 35% and progressive motility to 18%, accompanied by severe seminiferous tubule degeneration (Score III in 5 rats). Co-administration of silymarin partially restored these parameters, sperm concentration recovered to 38.5 × 106/mL, total motility improved to 50.2%, and antioxidant enzyme activities and liver/kidney biomarkers showed significant but incomplete recovery (p < 0.05). Molecular docking revealed favorable binding affinities of silybin toward GPx (−8.4 kcal/mol), CAT (−8.3 kcal/mol), and SOD (−6.4 kcal/mol), offering a preliminary computational hypothesis suggesting possible interactions between silybin and antioxidant enzymes, pending experimental validation. Silymarin alone exerted no adverse effects. These findings establish silymarin as a partial but promising multi-organ cytoprotectant against cadmium toxicity, and highlight the need for future studies optimizing dosing strategies, exploring longer treatment durations, and investigating combination approaches with metal chelators or Nrf2-activating agents to achieve complete tissue recovery.

27 March 2026 in Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angéiologie
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SSS. Ben Saleh
S. Ben Saleh
rym ben othmanrym ben othman
rym ben othman
ETEmna Talbi
Emna Talbi
RMR. Mahjoub
R. Mahjoub
HJHenda Jamoussi
Henda Jamoussi