Silymarin: A promising cardioprotective agent
Zeinab Zalat, Neveen A. Kohaf, Mohamed A. Alm El‐Din, Hosny Elewa, Mohamed Abdellatif
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.