Affiliation:
1. Laboratory of Metabolic Biochemistry, Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Nucleus of Research in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Metabolic Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Abstract
AbstractSilymarin (Silybum marianum; SM), popularly known as milk thistle, is an extract that has been used for many centuries to treat liver diseases. In recent years, several studies have shown that SM is not only just another antioxidant but also a multifunctional compound that exhibits several beneficial properties for use in the treatment and prevention of different types of pathologies and disorders. This review aims at demonstrating the main protective activities of SM in diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, metabolic syndrome, depression, cardiovascular diseases and thalassemia, in addition to its photoprotective activity in in vitro tests and preclinical studies. Its main functions include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and it acts as modulator of signaling pathways. It has been suggested that SM presents great multifunctional potential and is capable of achieving promising results in different types of research. However, caution is still needed regarding its indiscriminate use in humans as there are only a few clinical studies relating to the adequate dose and the actual efficacy of this extract in different types of diseases.
Subject
Drug Discovery,Pharmacology,General Medicine,Physiology
Cited by
43 articles.
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