The biochemical influence of flavonolignans from the milk thistle Silybum marianum has been tested on kidney cells of African green monkeys. Two nonmalignant cell lines were selected, with the focus of the work on the fibroblast-like Vero line. Proliferation rate, biosynthesis of protein and DNA, and the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (as a measure of the cellular metabolic activi...

Tumor metastasis is the most lethal and debilitating process that threatens cancer patients. Among the regulators involved in tumor metastasis, lysyl oxidase (LOX) is an important contributor for tumor invasion, migration and the formation of the pre-metastatic niche. Although the relationship between LOX and poor prognosis of lung patients has been preliminary reported, the mechanism remains p...

Extracts of milk thistle have been recognized for centuries as "liver tonics" and are well-known to prevent or reverse hepatotoxicity of reactive drug metabolites or naturally occurring toxins. Milk thistle extracts are now under intense study in the experimental therapeutics of cancer for chemoprevention, treatment, and amelioration of chemotherapy side effects. Precision in nomenclature, howe...

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most significant causes of female cancer death worldwide. Although several chemotherapeutics have been developed to treat this type of cancer, issues remain such as low survival rates and high reoccurrence after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To explore a chemopreventive approach to enhancing breast cancer treatment efficacy, the antiproliferative effects ...

Many flavonoids have the capacity to modulate the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters, thus raising the potential for alterations in the pharmacokinetics of drugs and other essential elements. The present study evaluates the effect of single supraphysiological orally administered doses of silibinin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), quercetin and rutin on the absorption and ti...

In this study, the effect of vermicompost and mycorrhizal fungi was investigated on growth, yield, chlorophyll pigments, leaf antioxidant enzymes, and seed silibinin content of Silybum marianum, milk thistle. The seeds were inoculated by two species of mycorrhiza fungi, Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices, and plants were irrigated and treated with 0, 25, 50, and 75% vermicompost after culturing...

Globally, the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as the incidence of mortality associated with CRC is increasing. Thus, it is imperative that we look at alternative approaches involving intake of non-toxic natural dietary/non-dietary agents, for the prevention of CRC. The ultimate goal of this approach is to reduce the incidence of pre-neoplastic adenomatous polyps and prevent their progre...

Ceramide as a second messenger is a key regulator in apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Ceramide-metabolizing enzymes are ideal target in cancer chemo-preventive studies. Neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase), acid ceramidase (ACDase) and glucosyl ceramide synthase (GCS) are the main enzymes in ceramide metabolism. Silymarin flavonolignans are potent apoptosis inducers and silibinin is the most active com...