Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses has been reported since ancestral times. In the case of hepatic diseases, several species such as Silybum marianum , Phyllanthus niruri, and Panus giganteus (Berk.) have been shown to ameliorate hepatic lesions. Silymarin is a natural compound derived from the species Silybum marianum , which is commonly known as Milk thistle. This plant contains at least seven flavoligands and the flavonoid taxifolin. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of silymarin is caused by its ability to inhibit the free radicals that are produced from the metabolism of toxic substances such as ethanol, acetaminophen, and carbon tetrachloride. The generation of free radicals is known to damage cellular membranes and cause lipoperoxidation. Silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione and may contribute to the antioxidant defense of the liver. It has also been shown that silymarin increases protein synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating RNA polymerase I activity. A previous study on humans reported that silymarin treatment caused a slight increase in the survival of patients with cirrhotic alcoholism compared with untreated controls.© 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.Key words: Silybum marianum ; Hepatoprotector; Lipoperoxidation; Silymarin Core tip: One of the mechanisms of liver damage caused by alcohol is the generation of free radicals formed by the metabolism of this xenobiotic. Silymarin is an antioxidant that protects the liver from the free radical damage produced by alcohol metabolism. Silymarin is the most used natural compound for the treatment of hepatic diseases worldwide due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities. Silymarin functions by stabilizing biological membranes and increasing protein synthesis.

Prophylactic Effect of Camel Milk on Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Ccl4-Intoxicated Rats

“…SM also prevents lipoperoxidation of membranes and scavenges ROS, thus increases GSH availability (Parveen et al, 2011;Vargas-Mendoza et al, 2014). The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic effect of camel milk and silymarin on hemotoxicity, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, renal function and sex hormone disturbances in CCl4-intoxicated rats.…”

The potential of silymarin for the treatment of hepatic disorders

“…In 2014, about 200 articles dealing with silymarin -among those 8 clinical reports -have been published, reflecting the continued interest in this plant extract. Preclinical data exhibit potent antiinflammatory, antifibrotic, antiviral, and antioxidative properties of silymarin [19]. However, the predictive value of animal and in vitro models is sometimes misleading and may have led to failures of translation into the clinical practice for many years [20].…”

Role of food-derived antioxidant agents against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

“…It has been used worldwide for many years as a complementary alternative medicine because of the beneficial effects associated with the treatment of hepatic diseases (Vargas-Mendoza et al 2014).…”