title: Silymarin prevents UV irradiation-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis.
abstract: Silymarin, a plant flavonoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] GAERTNER) was first evaluated for its protective effect against UV irradiation-induced apoptosis in human malignant melanoma cells (A375-S2 cells). Treatment with silymarin 500 microM for 12 h significantly inhibited UV irradiation (2.4 J/cm(2), 5 min)-induced apoptosis in A375-S2 cells. Activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in UV-irradiated A375-S2 cells were effectively reduced by silymarin in a dose-dependent manner, while the expression of the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), protein expression of Bcl-x(L) (Bcl-2 family member), and the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) were increased simultaneously. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of silymarin is exerted by blockage of the caspase/ICAD pathway after increased expression of Bcl-x(L) protein and activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway.
authors.affiliation: China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China.
authors.forename: Lin-Hao
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shin-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Onodera
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uchiumi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikejima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D012838:Silymarin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D012838:Silymarin