title: The effect of silymarin (Silybum marianum) on human skin fibroblasts in an in vitro wound healing model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Silymarin, a flavonolignan from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae), has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to study the effect of silymarin on wound healing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of silymarin on human fibroblast cells in an in vitro model of wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human fibroblast cells were treated with different concentrations (4.5, 9, 18, 36 µg/mL) of silymarin. The effects of silymarin on cell viability, proliferation, collagen synthesis, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine, hydroxyproline analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. The effect of silymarin on cellular antioxidant status was determined by protection against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cell injury and free radical scavenging activity (ABTS assay) of the cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of the present study indicate that pretreatment of fibroblast cells with silymarin significantly protected cells against H₂O₂-induced injury (p < 0.05). After an 18 h treatment of cells with 36 µg/mL silymarin, total antioxidant capacity of cells significantly increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, pretreatment of human fibroblast cells with silymarin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis between treatment and control groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silymarin may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cutaneous wounds through its antioxidation and anti-inflammation effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.forename: Parvin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasalar
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinejad
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dehpour
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tavangar
authors.forename: Maliheh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paknejad
authors.forename: Mahbobeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrabani Natanzi
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nourbakhsh
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ahmadi Ashtiani
authors.forename: Minoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rastegar
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D052816:Foreskin / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012838:Silymarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012838:Silymarin; C440499:lipopolysaccharide, Escherichia coli O111 B4; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human