Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activity of Silymarin Extract from Silybum Marianum in Mice of Health Food

Fei Zhao,Xinhua Li

doi:10.19026/ajfst.8.1508

Abstract

In the study of silymarin on the immunoregulatory effects of immunosuppressive mice, 80 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, divided into negative control group, the silimary low-dose group (silymarin-LG), the middle-dose group (silymarin-MG) and the high-dose group (silymarin-HG), each group of 20 mice. Silymarin was given by gavage to the mice at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for the silymarin-LG, silymarin-MG and silymarin-HG and the same volume of distilled water was given to mice in the CG. After 30 d, then observe the changes of each immunological indexes in mice. Purified silymarin showed dose-dependent immunomodulatory properties in vivo, as evidenced by the increase in acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme and nitric oxide content, macrophage phagocytosis and immune organ indexes. The results of this study could be used to further improve the purification of silymarin immunoactive fractions from S. marianum and other plant extracts.

Highlights

MATERIALS AND METHODSSilymarin, derived from the plant Silybum marianum, has been widely used for centuries for its hepatoprotective properties
Reagent kits for the determination of Acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LYSO) and Nitric Oxide (NO) measurements were purchased from Jiancheng Biotechnology Co. (Nanjing, China)
Immune organ index: Ten mice randomly selected in each group were weighed and sacrificed

Summary

Introduction

MATERIALS AND METHODSSilymarin, derived from the plant Silybum marianum (milk thistle), has been widely used for centuries for its hepatoprotective properties. The immunomodulatory properties of the purified silymarin, including acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme and nitric oxide release, macrophage phagocytosis and immune organ indexes, were evaluated in vivo. Silymarin is extracted from Silybum marianum by the ultrasonic assisted enzymatic method.

Results

Conclusion