Silymarin: A promising cardioprotective agent

Zalat, Zeinab; Kohaf, Neveen; Alm El-Din, Mohamed; Elewa, Hosny; Abdel-Latif, Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed

doi:10.21608/aijpms.2021.52962.1014

Silymarin: A promising cardioprotective agent

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

³ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, Dominate City, Egypt.

⁴ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

10.21608/aijpms.2021.52962.1014

Abstract

Silymarin ‘milk thistle’ (Silybum marianum) plant, has been used for years for treatment of different diseases such as liver and gallbladder disorders, protecting liver against snake bite and insect stings, mushroom poisoning and alcohol abuse. Silymarin has antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and liver regeneration activities. The cardioprotective activities of silymarin were primarily shown in cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat models. These effects are due to replenishing endogenous antioxidant enzymes, suppressing neutrophil infiltration, and reducing serum malondialdehyde as the end product of myocardial lipid peroxide. Silymarin treatment protects against reperfusion damage and inflammation by confirming anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Silymarin antioxidant properties is considered responsible for its cardio-protective activities. The mechanisms by which silymarin protects the heart remain largely unexplored. In this review, we will discuss in detail the cardioprotective properties of silymarin.

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