Abstract

A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF SILYBUM MARIANUM: EVIDENCE AND MOLECULAR DOCKING WITH MECHANISM

Sudhikshaa Devi MS., Madhusri A., Kabilesh PV., Sujitha R., Aswath T., Dhinesh Kumar S., Rajasekaran A., Arivukkarasu R.^*

Abstract

Liver diseases remain a major global health concern owing to their increasing prevalence and the limitations associated with conventional therapeutic approaches. Natural products have gained considerable attention as potential hepatoprotective agents because of their safety profile and diverse pharmacological properties. This review comprehensively discusses the geographical distribution,botanical description, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Silybum marianum, with particular emphasis on the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin. In addition, molecular docking studies involving silibinin and silymarin, in comparison with standard hepatoprotective drugs, revealed promising binding affinities toward key target proteins, supporting their potential as effective hepato protective agents. Collectively, the available evidence indicates that silymarin is a multifunctional phytoconstituent with remarkable therapeutic value in liver diseases. However, further well- designed preclinical and clinical studies are required to establish its long-term efficacy,safety, and broader clinical applications in hepato protection. Mechanism of action to be discussed as Silymarin protects and regenerates the liver by stabilizing cell membranes, scavenging free radicals to boost antioxidant defenses (like glutathione), and inhibiting stellar cell activation to reduce fibrosis.

Keywords: Silybum Marianum, Silymarin, Liver Diseases.