Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_604
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987384

Study on anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin on UV irradiated guinea pig skin

B Esmaeelian 1, YY Kamrani 1, MM Naderi 2, SM Rafeie 2, M Amanlou 1, E Azizi 3
  • 1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, P.O.Box: 14155–6451, Tehran, Iran
  • 2Department of small animal internal medicine, faculty of veterinary, science & research of Tehran Azad university, Tehran, Iran
  • 3Molecular Research Lab., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies have implicated solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a tumor initiator, tumor promoter and complete carcinogen, and excessive UV exposure can lead to the development of various skin disorders including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers [1]. Considering skin damages due to UV irradiations of the sun and need of UV-protective products, we investigated the efficacy of silymarin to prevent the side effects of these rays. For this survey 120 albino guinea pigs, in the same age and sex were selected and randomly divided into four groups with thirty animals in each group. The skin of the lumbar region of each animal was shaved. Experimental group 1 received 9mg silymarin in 20µl acetone topically while control group 1 received only 20µl acetone topically. Experimental group 2 received 50mg silymarin orally and finally the control group 2 received nothing [2]. The light type was UV-B, 220V, 30W, with the dose of 180mj/cm2. The results of clinical and pathological observations showed that silymarin in topical and oral use resulted in a significant decrease (79% and 67% respectively) in pathological damage incidences of skin due to UV irradiation. Oral and topical use of silymarin significantly reduced the side effects of UV irradiation and it can be used in topical ointments as well.

Acknowledgements: 1. Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center 2. Dr. HR.A.Ashtiani

References: [1] Manjeshwar S. et al. (2006) J. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci 5: 243–253. [2] Farrukh A. et al. (2002) J. Skin Pharmacol. Applied Skin Physiol. 15: 297–306.