Silymarin- A review on the Pharmacodynamics and Bioavailability Enhancement Approaches

Silymarin, a flavonolignan from ‘milk thistle’ (Silybum marianum) plant is used from ancient times as a hepatoprotective drug. Along with hepatoprotective action other actions includes antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and liver regenerating. Silymarin has clinical applications in alcoholic liver diseases, liver cirrhosis, Amanita mushroom poisoning, viral hepatitis, toxic and drug induced liver diseases, Psoriasis, and in Neuroprotective and neurotropic activity. Though silymarin doesnot have antiviral properties against hepatitis virus, it promotes protein synthesis, helps in regenerating liver tissue, controls inflammation, enhances glucoronidation and protects against glutathione depletion. The flavonoid silymarin and one of its structural components, silibinin, are substances with documentedhepatoprotective properties. They are proved to be a useful for hepatoprotection in hepatobiliary diseases and in hepatotoxicity due to drugs. The non traditional use of silymarin may make a breakthrough as a new approach to protect other organs in addition to liver. But the main drawback of silymarin is its poor solubility thereforedifferent approaches are been taken to enhance the solubility in turn the bioavailability of the drug. In this review we discuss about its Chemistry, Pharmacodynamics, safety, therapeutic efficacy and Bioavailability enhancement approaches used so far. As it is having a good safety profile, better patient tolerability and an effective drug at an affordable price, in near future new derivatives or new combinations of this drug may prove to be useful.