Experimental research finds silibinin reduces growth of liver cancer

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[lef.org]

 

Life Extension Update Exclusive

Experimental research finds silibinin reduces the growth of liver cancer

 

A report published in the October 28, 2007 issue of the World Journal

of Gastroenterology described the finding of hepatologist Ke-Qin Hu,

John J Lah and Wei Cui at the University of California, Irvine that

silibinin, derived from milk thistle, significantly reduces the growth

of several human liver cancer cell lines. The compound has previously

demonstrated an inhibitory effect on prostate, colon, skin, bladder and

lung cancer cell cultures.

 

Silibinin is a polyphenolic flavonoid and the major biologically active

compound of the milk thistle plant. Milk thistle has long been used as

an herbal remedy for liver disease and has been shown to have a

protective effect on the organ against alcohol or drug related damage.

 

In the current study, Dr Hu's team treated four different human

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with varying doses of

silibinin, and examined the compound & rsquo;s effect on cell growth and

proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, histone acetylation,

and other related processes.

 

The team found a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth associated

with silibinin compared to untreated cells in all lines tested. They

discovered that silibinin decreased cancer cell proliferation and cell

cycle progression, enhanced apoptosis (programmed cell

self-destruction), and altered the genetic structure of the cancerous

cells. At a higher concentration, silibinin also showed an inhibitory

effect on two markers of angiogenesis.

 

" Our results defined silibinin's in vitro anti-HCC effects and possible

mechanisms, and provided a rationale to further test silibinin for HCC

chemoprevention, " the authors conclude.

 

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Silibinin is of particular importance for those who may have concerns

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