Stimulatory effects of silibinin and silicristin from the milk thistle Silybum marianum on kidney cells

The biochemical influence of flavonolignans from the milk thistle Silybum m arianum has been tested on kidney cells of African green monkeys. Two nonma lignant cell lines were selected, with the focus of the work on the fibrobl ast-like Vero line. Proliferation rate, biosynthesis of protein and DNA, an d the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (as a measure of the cel lular metabolic activity) were chosen as parameters for the effect of the f lavonolignans. Silibinin and silicristin show remarkable stimulatory effect s on these parameters, mainly in Vero cells; however, isosilibinin and sili dianin proved to be inactive. In vitro experiments with kidney cells damage d by paracetamol, cisplatin, and vincristin demonstrated that administratio n of silibinin before or after the chemical-induced injury can lessen or av oid the nephrotoxic effects. The results warrant in vivo evaluations of the flavonolignan derivatives.