Progress in Research and Application of Silymarin

Silymarin (SL), a mixture of flavonolignans mainly including silybin A and B, isosilybin A and B, silidianin, and silychristine from the seeds of Silybum marianum L., has been widely used to treat acute and chronic viral hepatitis, toxin/drug-induced hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholic fatty liver diseases and other ailments because of its excellent hepatoprotective effect. Silybin is the most active component of SL, which is administered orally in most cases of clinical use. However, its bioavailability is low due to poor water solubility. The present paper reviews the research results on isolation methods, pharmacological activities, action mechanisms, preparation techniques, quality control and market state of SL in the hope that it would be helpful to better understand and use this traditional Chinese medicine. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________