Title:Preclinical Evidence-based Neuroprotective Potential of Silibinin
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Niraj Kumar Singh*Bharat Bhushan
Affiliation:
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, NH-2, Mathura-Delhi Road, Chaumuhan,
Mathura, 281406, India
Keywords:
Silybum marianum, silibinin, neuroprotection, neurotoxicity, Alzheimer’s disease, parkinson’s disease.
Abstract: Neurodegeneration is an elucidating feature of many neuronal disorders including Alzheimer’s,
disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral ischemia. These neurodegenerative disorders
are a major public health concern with high mortality and morbidity rates around the world. Presently,
researchers have concentrated their efforts on determining the neuroprotective activity of
natural products for the management of neurological manifestation associated with neurodegeneration
or aging. Silibinin, an active component of the plant Silybum marianum (family: Asteraceae)
was used for the treatment of liver diseases from ancient times. Recently several preclinical studies
provide supportive evidence for the neuroprotective activity of silibinin in experimental animals.
Besides its antioxidant effect, silibinin exhibits neuroprotective activities by altering several
cellular and molecular signaling pathways like BDNF, ER/PI3/Akt, NfκB, JNK, IR & IGF-IR,
mTOR, and many more against brain-related neurotoxicity. This review provided a comprehensive
summary of the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, side effects, and pharmacological effects of
silibinin against various neurodegenerative disorders with a prominent cellular and molecular
mechanism. The literature reviews and preclinical studies demonstrated that silibinin could be an
alternate candidate for the management of neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, there is a scope for
further preclinical and clinical research to introduce this phytoconstituent as a therapeutic alternative
candidate.