title: Silymarin selectively protects human renal cells from cisplatin-induced cell death.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity has been accepted as an important obstacle for efficient cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Silymarin from seeds of milk thistle [Silybum marianum L. (Asteraceae)] has been shown to possess various potential pharmacological properties; however, whether or not this agent selectively protects renal cells from cisplatin-induced cell death with no interfering effect on cancer cells is not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Potential of silymarin in protection of cisplatin-induced renal cell death without compromising effect on anticancer activity of cisplatin was demonstrated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cisplatin-induced cell death was evaluated in human proximal tubular HK-2, lung carcinoma H460, and melanoma G361 cells using MTT, Hoechst 33342, and propidium iodide assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cisplatin induced both apoptosis and necrosis in HK-2 cells and caused a decrease in cell viability by ~40% and 60% at the doses of 25 and 100 µM, respectively. Pretreatment with 25-200 µM of silymarin significantly protected against cisplatin-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, pretreatment of silymarin (25-100 µM) caused no significant change on cisplatin-induced cell death in H460 cells but significantly potentiated cisplatin-induced apoptosis in G361 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings reveal the selectivity of silymarin in protection of renal cells from cisplatin-induced cell death and could be beneficial for the development of this considerately safe compound as a renoprotective agent.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Chuanpit
authors: C
authors: Ninsontia
authors: Kanittha
authors: K
authors: Pongjit
authors: Chatchai
authors: C
authors: Chaotham
authors: Pithi
authors: P
authors: Chanvorachote