Silbinin

Silibinin, also called silybin (CAS No.: 22888-70-6), is the efficacy determining substance of the flavanonol complex silymarin, which is obtained from the fruits of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum). The extract is standardized to silibinin with regard to its active ingredient content.

Chemically speaking, silibinin is a mixture of Silybin A and Silybin B. Isolated silibinin is used in the therapy of liver poisoning by toxins of the tuber leaf fungus (amatoxins) such as amanitine and phalloidin. The therapy is carried out intravenously. The liver-protective effect is due to the cell membrane-stabilizing properties of silibinin. The absorption of the amatoxins of the tuber leaf fungus into the liver cells is made more difficult, their enterohepatic circulation is inhibited. A second mechanism of action is the inhibition of the release of TNF-α.

Since the introduction into the therapy of amanitine-related fungal poisoning, the mortality rate has decreased to 5 to 12 % if treated in time, previously it was 20 to 30 %.

Furthermore, silibinin inhibits xanthine oxidase and is thus effective in hyperuricemia.