Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer
Abstract Cancer, one of the deadliest diseases, has remained the epicenter of biological research for more than seven decades. Yet all the efforts for a perfect therapeutic cure come with certain limitations. The use of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals as therapeutics has received much atte...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Discover Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-01800-3 |
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| author | Ujjawal Sharma Praveen Kumar Sahni Bunty Sharma Madhu Gupta Damandeep Kaur Darin Mansor Mathkor Shafiul Haque Sabiha Khatoon Hardeep Singh Tuli Astha Mishra Faraz Ahmad |
| author_facet | Ujjawal Sharma Praveen Kumar Sahni Bunty Sharma Madhu Gupta Damandeep Kaur Darin Mansor Mathkor Shafiul Haque Sabiha Khatoon Hardeep Singh Tuli Astha Mishra Faraz Ahmad |
| author_sort | Ujjawal Sharma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cancer, one of the deadliest diseases, has remained the epicenter of biological research for more than seven decades. Yet all the efforts for a perfect therapeutic cure come with certain limitations. The use of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals as therapeutics has received much attention in recent years. Silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with a variety of anti-cancerous properties, was isolated from the plant Silybum marianum. The present review centres on the function of silymarin in controlling important signalling pathways related to apoptosis and survival, such as the JAK/STAT pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Bcl-2/Bax, and Fas/FasL. It is emphasised that silymarin's capacity to target these pathways is a key mechanism behind its anticancer effects against a variety of malignancies. By upregulating pro-apoptotic and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins, silymarin controls a series of events that result in tumor suppression and cell death in a variety of cancer types. The low bioavailability and limited therapeutic efficacy of silymarin are improved by the application of various nano-delivery systems. As efficient carriers, liposomes, polymeric micelles, lipid- and metal-based nanoparticles, increase the solubility and distribution of silymarin in target tissues. Lastly, a number of preclinical studies that provide a basis for upcoming therapeutic interventions are highlighted in the review, providing encouraging directions for additional research and advancement. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1cb9a1fb00c4400f8bf3e46eb4395c1f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2730-6011 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1cb9a1fb00c4400f8bf3e46eb4395c1f2025-01-26T12:39:46ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-01-0116111210.1007/s12672-025-01800-3Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancerUjjawal Sharma0Praveen Kumar Sahni1Bunty Sharma2Madhu Gupta3Damandeep Kaur4Darin Mansor Mathkor5Shafiul Haque6Sabiha Khatoon7Hardeep Singh Tuli8Astha Mishra9Faraz Ahmad10Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of PunjabDepartment of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of PunjabDepartment of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University)Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research UniversityUniversity Center for Research & Development (UCRD), Chandigarh UniversityDepartment of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan UniversityDepartment of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan UniversityUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterDepartment of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University)Department of Optometry, Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara UniversityDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)Abstract Cancer, one of the deadliest diseases, has remained the epicenter of biological research for more than seven decades. Yet all the efforts for a perfect therapeutic cure come with certain limitations. The use of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals as therapeutics has received much attention in recent years. Silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with a variety of anti-cancerous properties, was isolated from the plant Silybum marianum. The present review centres on the function of silymarin in controlling important signalling pathways related to apoptosis and survival, such as the JAK/STAT pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Bcl-2/Bax, and Fas/FasL. It is emphasised that silymarin's capacity to target these pathways is a key mechanism behind its anticancer effects against a variety of malignancies. By upregulating pro-apoptotic and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins, silymarin controls a series of events that result in tumor suppression and cell death in a variety of cancer types. The low bioavailability and limited therapeutic efficacy of silymarin are improved by the application of various nano-delivery systems. As efficient carriers, liposomes, polymeric micelles, lipid- and metal-based nanoparticles, increase the solubility and distribution of silymarin in target tissues. Lastly, a number of preclinical studies that provide a basis for upcoming therapeutic interventions are highlighted in the review, providing encouraging directions for additional research and advancement.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-01800-3AnticancerApoptosisNatural compoundsSilymarinTherapeutics |
| spellingShingle | Ujjawal Sharma Praveen Kumar Sahni Bunty Sharma Madhu Gupta Damandeep Kaur Darin Mansor Mathkor Shafiul Haque Sabiha Khatoon Hardeep Singh Tuli Astha Mishra Faraz Ahmad Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer Discover Oncology Anticancer Apoptosis Natural compounds Silymarin Therapeutics |
| title | Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| title_full | Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| title_fullStr | Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| title_short | Silymarin: a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| title_sort | silymarin a promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in cancer |
| topic | Anticancer Apoptosis Natural compounds Silymarin Therapeutics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-01800-3 |
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