title: [Flavonolignans - compounds not only for liver treatment].
abstract: Flavonolignans are the major bioactive components presented in the Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) standarized extract - silymarin. S. marianum is a medicinal plant, which has been using for thousands of years as a remedy for a variety of ailments. Since the 70s of the last century flavonolignans presented in silymarin have been regarded to the official medicine as substances having an hepatoprotective properties. Structurally, flavonolignans are composed of a flavonoid unit (taxifolin) and a phenylpropane unit (coniferyl alcohol), linked together by an oxeran ring. Many studies which have been conducted in recent years demonstrated that flavonolignans posses a various healthy properties. Flavonolignans modulate of a variety cell-signaling pathways as well as inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism, resulting in the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators formation. The researches performed in last year's demonstrated that the major flavonolignan - silybin is able to inhibit two blood coagulation factors: thrombin and FXa. Flavonolignans have been also studied as a potential anticancer agents. This review article presents flavonolignans health benefits effects not only for the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bijak
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044947:Flavonolignans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020944:Silybum marianum / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D044947:Flavonolignans; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Silybum marianum; flavonolignans; milk thistle; silymarin