Name:Silymarin

Molecular Formula:C25H22O10

Molecular Weight: 482.44 CAS

Registry Number: 65666-07-1

Silibinin , also known as silybin, is the major active constituent of silymarin, standardized extract of the milk thistle seeds, containing mixture of flavonolignans consisting of among others of silibinin, isosilibinin, silicristin and silidianin. Silymarin is a flavonolignan that has been introduced fairly recently as a hepatoprotective agent. Silymarin is the most well known compound of the flavonoids, thanks to its well defined therapeutic properties. Silymarin is extracted from the seeds and fruit of Silybum marianum (Compositae) and in reality is a mixture of three structural components: silibinin, silydianine and silychristine.
Silymarin is used for the treatment of numerous liver disorders characterised by degenerative necrosis and functional impairment.Furthermore,silymarin is able to antagonise the toxin of Amanita phalloides and provides hepatoprotection against poisoning by phalloidin, galactosamine, thioacetamide, halothane and carbon tetrachloride. The compound also protects hepatocytes from injury caused by ischaemia, radiation, iron overload and viral hepatitis.