Praktické lekárnictvo 4/2023

Recent advances in research of Silymarin and its components

Silymarin, a standardized extract from the Silybum marianum fruit, is a proven natural food supplement that is used to support the treatment of a number of pathological conditions of the organism. Metformin administered with silymarin may reduce the development of hepatic steatosis, especially in the prediabetic state. Fenofibrate in combination with silymarin can reduce lipoperoxidation and CYP2E1 expression (and thus ROS production) which contributes to reducing the risk of developing complications of steatosis in the liver. Mechanism of its hypolipidemic effect does not work via activation of PPARα receptors (as it does in the case of fibrates), but probably in the reduction of cholesterol absorption from the intestine (which is also the effect of its polymer fraction) or in the increased expression of cytochromes P450 involved in the metabolism and excretion of cholesterol. Upregulation of transport proteins ABCG5 and ABCG8 by silymarin and n-3 PUFA reduces the level of triglycerides and total cholesterol, which can act preventively in the development of metabolic disorders caused by hypertriglyceridemia. The stated conclusions of in vivo studies show a positive effect of silymarin (whether its component or whole) on the organism in the prevention or supportive treatment of a number of diseases, including metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: natural polyphenols, silymarin, silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, silydianin, taxifolin