Synthesis of Silymarin-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugate and Analysis of its Liver-Protecting Activity

Abstract

Background: The liver disease problem prompts investigators to search for new methods of liver treatment. Introduction: Silymarin (Sil) protects the liver by reducing the concentration of free radicals and the extent of damage to the cell membranes. A particularly interesting method to increase the bioavailability of Sil is to use synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as reagents. The study considered whether it was possible to use the silymarin-AuNP conjugate as a potential liver-protecting drug. Method: AuNPs were conjugated to Sil and examine the liver-protecting activity of the conjugate. Experimental hepatitis and hepatocyte cytolysis after carbon tetrachloride actionwere used as a model system, and the experiments were conducted on laboratory animals. Result: For the first time, silymarin was conjugated to colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electron microscopy showed that the resultant preparations were monodisperse and that the mean conjugate diameter was 18–30 nm ± 0.5 nm (mean diameter of the native nanoparticles, 15 ± 0.5 nm). In experimental hepatitis in mice, conjugate administration interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes in response to carbon tetrachloride was conducive to an increase in energy metabolism, and stimulated the monocyte–macrophage function of the liver. The results were confirmed by the high respiratory activity of the hepatocytes in cell culture. Conclusion: We conclude that the silymarin-AuNP conjugate holds promise as a liver-protecting agent in acute liver disease caused by carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

Preparation and Characterization of Silymarin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles with Enhanced Anti-Fibrotic Therapeutic Effects against Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats: Role of MicroRNAs as Molecular Targets

“…Most of these parameters were completely normalized with SGNPs treatment. Our study was supported by previous studies [ 95 , 96 ].…”

Are silymarin and N‐acetylcysteine able to prevent liver damage mediated by multiple factors? Findings against ethanol plus LPS‐induced liver injury in mice

“…Also, treatment with SIL prevented GSH depletion in models of acute liver injury, [ 43–45 ] but our data showed that treatment with SIL did not affect GSH levels compared with the vehicle group in the liver injury model used here. These results demonstrate the ineffectiveness of both treatments in protecting hepatic GSH levels from oxidative damage promoted by ethanol and LPS, even at a dose known to have a hepatoprotective effect in other models.…”

Silymarin Based Complexes – a mini review

“…GNPs and silymarin was observed to improve liver function and reduced cholestasis. After administration they decreased the aspartate aminotransferase level in the serum and interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes and stimulated monocyte macrophage function [136,137].…”