title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vargas-Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Madrigal-Santillán
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morales-González
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esquivel-Soto
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esquivel-Chirino
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Luna Y González-Rubio
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gayosso-de-Lucio
authors.affiliation: Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca 42000, México.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morales-González
keywords: Hepatoprotector; Lipoperoxidation; Silybum marianum; Silymarin