Silymarin and skin cancer prevention: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Santosh K. Katiyar
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 1, 2005     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.26.1.169
  • Pages: 169-176
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Abstract

Several environmental and genetic factors are involved in skin cancer induction, however exposure to chemical carcinogens and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation are primarily responsible for several skin diseases including skin cancer. Chronic exposure of solar UV radiation to the skin leads to basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Chemoprevention of skin cancer by consumption of naturally occurring botanicals appears a practical approach and therefore world-wide interest is considerably increasing to use these botanicals. Sunscreens are useful but their protection is not ideal because of inadequate use, incomplete spectral protection and toxicity. Silymarin, a plant flavonoid isolated from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), has been shown to have chemopreventive effects against chemical carcinogenesis as well as photocarcinogenesis in various animal tumor models. Topical treatment of silymarin inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-initiated and several tumor promoters, like 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, mezerein, benzoyal peroxide and okadaic acid, induced skin carcinogenesis in mouse models. Similarly, silymarin also prevented UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. Wide range of in vivo mechanistic studies indicated that silymarin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which may lead to the prevention of skin cancer in in vivo animal models. The available experimental information suggests that silymarin is a promising chemopreventive and pharmacologically safe agent which can be exploited or tested against skin cancer in human system. Moreover, silymarin may favorably supplement sunscreen protection and provide additional anti-photocarcinogenic protection.

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January 2005
Volume 26 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Katiyar SK: Silymarin and skin cancer prevention: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review). Int J Oncol 26: 169-176, 2005.
APA
Katiyar, S.K. (2005). Silymarin and skin cancer prevention: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 26, 169-176. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.26.1.169
MLA
Katiyar, S. K."Silymarin and skin cancer prevention: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 26.1 (2005): 169-176.
Chicago
Katiyar, S. K."Silymarin and skin cancer prevention: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 26, no. 1 (2005): 169-176. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.26.1.169