A comparative study on the therapeutic effects of Silymarin and Silymarin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on D-GaIN/TNF-α-induced Liver Damage in Balb/c Mice

Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide reduces D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury by regulating the activation of multiple inflammasomes

BACKGROUND

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a serious syndrome with a high mortality rate due to viral infection, toxic exposure, and autoimmunity, and its severity can range from mildly elevated liver enzymes to severe liver failure. Activation of the nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is closely associated with the development of ALI, and the search for an inhibitor targeting this pathway may be a novel therapeutic option. Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide (ARP) is a biologically active ingredient extracted from Anoectochilus roxburghii with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities and pharmacological effects. In this study, we focused on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury by ARP through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.

METHODS

An inflammasome activation model was established in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) to investigate the effects of ARP on caspase-1 cleavage, IL-1β secretion, and ASC oligomerization in inflammasomes under different agonists. We used the D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury model in mice, intraperitoneally injected ARP or MCC950, and collected liver tissues, serum, and intraperitoneal lavage fluid for pathological and biochemical indexes.

RESULTS

ARP effectively inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and had an inhibitory effect on non-classical NLRP3, AIM2, and NLRC4 inflammasomes. It also effectively inhibited the oligomerization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) from a variety of inflammatory vesicles. Meanwhile, ARP has good therapeutic effects on acute liver injury induced by D-GaIN/LPS.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of ARP on a wide range of inflammasomes, as well as its excellent protection against acute liver injury, suggests that ARP may be a candidate for acute liver injury.

Research progress on rodent models and its mechanisms of liver injury

The liver is the most important organ for biological transformation in the body and is crucial for maintaining the body's vital activities. Liver injury is a serious pathological condition that is commonly found in many liver diseases. It has a high incidence rate, is difficult to cure, and is prone to recurrence. Liver injury can cause serious harm to the body, ranging from mild to severe fatty liver disease. If the condition continues to worsen, it can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, ultimately resulting in liver failure or liver cancer, which can seriously endanger human life and health. Therefore, establishing an rodent model that mimics the pathogenesis and severity of clinical liver injury is of great significance for better understanding the pathogenesis of liver injury patients and developing more effective clinical treatment methods. The author of this article summarizes common chemical liver injury models, immune liver injury models, alcoholic liver injury models, drug-induced liver injury models, and systematically elaborates on the modeling methods, mechanisms of action, pathways of action, and advantages or disadvantages of each type of model. The aim of this study is to establish reliable rodent models for researchers to use in exploring anti-liver injury and hepatoprotective drugs. By creating more accurate theoretical frameworks, we hope to provide new insights into the treatment of clinical liver injury diseases.

Formulation of Silymarin-β Cyclodextrin-TPGS Inclusion Complex: Physicochemical Characterization, Molecular Docking, and Cell Viability Assessment against Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Silymarin (SIL) is a poorly water-soluble flavonoid reported for different pharmacological properties. Its therapeutic applications are limited due to poor water solubility. In this study, the solubility of silymarin has been enhanced by preparing freeze-dried binary and ternary complexes using beta cyclodextrin (βCD) and d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The stoichiometry of the drug and the carrier was selected from the phase solubility study. The dissolution study was performed to assess the effect of complexation on the release pattern of SIL. The formation of inclusion complexes was confirmed by different physicochemical studies. Finally, a cell viability assay (MCF 7; breast cancer cell line) was performed to compare the activity with free SIL. The phase solubilization results revealed the formation of a stable complex (binary) with a stability constant and complexation efficiency (CE) value of 288 mol L-1 and 0.045%. The ternary sample depicted a significantly enhanced stability constant and CE value (890 mol L-1 and 0.14%). The release study results showed a marked increase in the release pattern after addition of βCD (alone) in the binary mixture (49.4 ± 3.1%) as well as inclusion complex (66.2 ± 3.2%) compared to free SIL (32.7 ± 1.85%). Furthermore, with the addition of TPGS in SIL-βCD (ternary), the SIL release was found to be significantly enhanced from the SIL ternary mixture (79.2 ± 2.13%) in 120 min. However, fast SIL release was achieved with 99.2 ± 1.7% in 45 min for the SIL ternary complex. IR and NMR spectral analysis results revealed the formation of a stable complex with no drug-polymer interaction. The formation of complexes was also confirmed by the molecular docking study (docking scores of 4.1 and -6.4 kcal/mol). The in vitro cell viability result showed a concentration-dependent activity. The IC50 value of the SIL ternary complex was found to be significantly lower than that of free SIL. The findings of the study concluded that the prepared SIL inclusion complex can be used as an alternative oral delivery system to enhance solubility, dissolution, and biological activity against the tested cancer cell line.

Silymarin-Loaded Tin(IV) Nanoparticles Exhibit Enhanced Bioavailability and Antiproliferative Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cells

Silymarin (SM) exhibits potential therapeutic effects due to having antioxidant activity. However, the low solubility and bioavailability of SM restrict its biological performance. To overcome this limitation, this study aimed to develop a nanoformulation composed of SM and dimethyltindichloride and investigate the effect of SM-loaded Sn nanoparticles on cancer cell growth and survival. An SM-Sn complex was synthesized and then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), EDS-MAP, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ζ-potential analysis. After that, the SW480 colorectal cancer cell line was treated with different concentrations of SM and the SM-Sn complex. Cell viability was examined through the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, analyzing apoptosis, and live-dead assay. The lipid peroxidation rate was assessed through the measurement of thiobarbituric acid (TBA). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and cell population in the cell cycle were measured using a flow cytometry instrument. To evaluate the colonization ability of SW480 cells, a colony formation assay was performed. Gene expression analysis was also conducted using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The findings of this study revealed the effectiveness of the SM-Sn complex in decreasing SW480 cell viability by inducing cell death-associated mechanisms. We found that the SM-Sn complex increases intracellular ROS level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. It was also revealed that the SM-Sn complex induces cell cycle arrest and the expression of apoptotic genes. In addition, the SM-Sn complex could effectively hinder SW480 cells from constituting colonies. We conclude that the use of tin(IV) as a scaffold for enhanced delivery of SM could be considered an efficient option for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and survival.

Lipid-Based Delivery Systems for Flavonoids and Flavonolignans: Liposomes, Nanoemulsions, and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Herbal chemicals with a long history in medicine have attracted a lot of attention. Flavonolignans and flavonoids are considered as two classes of the above-mentioned compounds with different functional groups which exhibit several therapeutic capabilities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Based on the studies, high hydrophobic properties of the aforementioned compounds limit their bioavailability inside the human body and restrict their wide application. Nanoscale formulations such as solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, and other types of lipid-based delivery systems have been introduced to overcome the above-mentioned challenges. This approach allows the aforementioned hydrophobic therapeutic compounds to be encapsulated between hydrophobic structures, resulting in improving their bioavailability. The above-mentioned enhanced delivery system improves delivery to the targeted sites and reduces the daily required dosage. Lowering the required daily dose improves the performance of the drug by diminishing its side effects on non-targeted tissues. The present study aims to highlight the recent improvements in implementing lipid-based nanocarriers to deliver flavonolignans and flavonoids.

Promising hepatoprotective agents from the natural sources: a study of scientific evidence

Background

Natural bioactive components derived from plant secondary metabolites have been pronounced as valuable alternatives for anticipating and subsiding hepatotoxic effects and its chronic complications based on experimental verification. The focus of this review is to elucidate the commonly used modern medicine for the treatment of liver disease and how major phytoconstituents have been tested for hepatoprotective activity, mechanism of action of some promising agents from natural sources, and clinical trial data for treating in patients with different liver diseases by the aid of natural phytoconstituents.

Main text

The review shows fifteen major isolated phytoconstituents, their biological sources, chemical structures, utilized plant parts, type of extracts used, hepatoprotective assay method, and their possible mechanism of action on the hepatoprotection. Nine promising hepatoprotective leads from natural sources with their chemistry and hepatoprotective mechanism are mentioned briefly. The review further includes the recent clinical trial studies of some hepatoprotective leads and their clinical outcome with different liver disease patients. Scientific studies revealed that antioxidant properties are the central mechanism for the phytoconstituents to subside different disease pathways by upsurging antioxidant defense system of cells, scavenging free radicals, down surging lipid peroxidation, improving anti-inflammatory potential, and further protecting the hepatic cell injury. In this review, we summarize recent development of natural product-based hepatoprotective leads and their curative potential for various sort of liver diseases. Furthermore, the usefulness of hit and lead molecules from natural sources for significant clinical benefit to discover new drug molecule and downsizing the problems of medication and chemical-induced hepatotoxic effects is extrapolated.

Conclusion

Further research are encouraged to elucidate the pharmacological principle of these natural-based chemical agents which will stimulate future pharmaceutical development of therapeutically beneficial hepatoprotective regimens.

Impact of Nanotechnology on Differentiation and Augmentation of Stem Cells for Liver Therapy

The liver is one of the crucial organs of the body that performs hundreds of chemical reactions needed by the body to survive. It is also the largest gland of the body. The liver has multiple functions, including the synthesis of chemicals, metabolism of nutrients, and removal of toxins. It also acts as a storage unit. The liver has a unique ability to regenerate itself, but it can lead to permanent damage if the injury is beyond recovery. The only possible treatment of severe liver damage is liver transplant which is a costly procedure and has several other drawbacks. Therefore, attention has been shifted towards the use of stem cells that have shown the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes. Among the numerous kinds of stem cells (SCs), the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most famous. Various studies suggest that an MSC transplant can repair liver function, improve the signs and symptoms, and increase the chances of survival. This review discusses the impact of combining stem cell therapy with nanotechnology. By integrating stem cell science and nanotechnology, the information about stem cell differentiation and regulation will increase, resulting in a better comprehension of stem cell-based treatment strategies. The augmentation of SCs with nanoparticles has been shown to boost the effect of stem cell-based therapy. Also, the function of green nanoparticles in liver therapies is discussed.

A review of nanostructured delivery systems for the encapsulation, protection, and delivery of silymarin: An emerging nutraceutical

Silymarin exhibits biological activities that may promote human health and wellbeing, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Consequently, it has potential for application as a nutraceutical ingredient in functional foods and supplements. But its application for this purpose is currently limited by its poor water solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. The potential of nano-delivery systems to improve the functional performance of silymarin was reviewed in this manuscript. The formation, attributes, and applications of biopolymer-based, lipid-based, surfactant-based, and miscellaneous nanocarriers are discussed. In particular, the impact of the different delivery systems such as biopolymer-based, lipid-based delivery systems on the gastrointestinal fate of silymarin is summarized. The encapsulation in edible nanocarriers can improve the bioavailability of silymarin by enhancing its water-dispersibility, inhibiting its degradation, and increasing its absorption.These nanocarriers may therefore be utilized to incorporate this nutraceutical into functional foods and supplements in a bioavailable form.

Efficient drug and gene delivery to liver fibrosis: rationale, recent advances, and perspectives

Liver fibrosis results from chronic damages together with an accumulation of extracellular matrix, and no specific medical therapy is approved for that until now. Due to liver metabolic capacity for drugs, the fragility of drugs, and the presence of insurmountable physiological obstacles in the way of targeting, the development of efficient drug delivery systems for anti-fibrotics seems vital. We have explored articles with a different perspective on liver fibrosis over the two decades, then collected and summarized the information by providing corresponding in vitro and in vivo cases. We have discussed the mechanism of hepatic fibrogenesis with different ways of fibrosis induction in animals. Furthermore, the critical chemical and herbal anti-fibrotics, biological molecules such as micro-RNAs, siRNAs, and growth factors, which can affect cell division and differentiation, are mentioned. Likewise, drug and gene delivery and therapeutic systems on in vitro and in vivo models are summarized in the data tables. This review article enlightens recent advances in emerging drugs and nanocarriers and represents perspectives on targeting strategies employed in liver fibrosis treatment.

Silymarin-albumin nanoplex: Preparation and its potential application as an antioxidant in nervous system in vitro and in vivo

In this study, we formulated silymarin-HSA nanoplex and assayed its ability to reduce LPS-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Silymarin molecules were encapsulated into HSA nanoplex and the loading efficiency and characterization of fabricated nanoplex were performed by using HPLC, TEM, SEM, DLS, FTIR analysis, and theoretical studies. Afterwards, their protective effect against LPS (20 µg/ml) -induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells was investigated by MTT, ROS, and apoptosis assays. For in vivo experiments, rats were pre-treated with either silymarin or silymarin -HSA nanoplex (200 mg/kg) orally for 3 days and at third day received LPS by IP at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, 150 min before scarification followed by SOD and CAT activity assay. The formulation of silymarin-HSA nanoplex showed a spherical shape with an average diameter between 50 nm and 150 nm, hydrodynamic radius of 188.3 nm, zeta potential of -26.6 mV, and a drug loading of 97.3%. In LPS-treated cells, pretreatments with silymarin-HSA noncomplex recovered the cell viability and decreased the ROS level and corresponding apoptosis more significantly than free silymarin. In rats, it was also depicted that, silymarin-HSA noncomplex can increase the SOD and CAT activity in brain tissue at LPS-triggered oxidative stress model more significantly than the free counterpart. Therefore, nanoformulation of silymarin improved its capability to reduce LPS-induced oxidative stress by restoring cell viability and elevation of SOD and CAT activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In conclusion, formulation of silymarin may hold a great promise in the development of antioxidant agents.

Liver Targeting Albumin-Coated Silybin-Phospholipid Particles Prepared by Nab™ Technology for Improving Treatment Effect of Acute Liver Damage in Intravenous Administration

In this study, a novel human serum albumin nanoparticle loading silybin-phospholipid complex (SLNPs) was developed for liver targeting after intravenous administration. The preparation of the drug delivery system consisted of two steps; initially, a silybin-phospholipid complex (SLC) was produced to improve the lipophilicity of SLB to then achieve enhanced encapsulation of SLB in albumin nanoparticles. FT-IR and XRD analysis confirmed the successful formation of SLC. The complex ratio of SLC in the first step was 99.6%. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of SLNPs in the second step were 96.2% and 5.6%, respectively. SLNPs were spherical and well-dispersed, with a zeta potential of approximately - 10 mV, and a mean particle size around 200 nm. An in vivo tissue distribution experiment and a pharmacodynamic experiment showed that, compared with SLB solution, SLNPs had an improved SLB accumulation in the liver. The hepatoprotective effect of SLNPs on CCl₄-induced acute liver damage was evaluated. CCl₄-damaged mice showed an increased enzymatic activity of ALT and AST; however, enzyme levels returned to near-normal levels in high-dose SLNP-treated mice. As SLNPs combine the enhanced oil solubility of SLC and the passive targeting of albumin nanoparticles, they possess great potential for the treatment of acute liver damage.

Hepatoprotective effects of silymarin on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in broiler chickens model

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin on CCl₄-induced oxidative stress in broiler chickens model. A total of 240 day-old broilers were divided into 4 equal groups (n = 60) composed of a control group (receiving 1 mL/Kg BW saline) and 3 groups treated with silymarin (receiving 100 mg/Kg BW silymarin), CCl₄ (receiving 1 mL/Kg BW CCl₄), and combination of silymarin + CCl₄. Results indicated that silymarin has potential to mitigate the deleterious effects of CCl₄ on protein and lipid metabolism. The protective activity of silymarin against CCl₄-mediated lipid peroxidation was demonstrated by the lower serum content of MDA, as lipid peroxidation marker. CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity was demonstrated by the elevation of serum contents of ALP, AST, ALT, and GGT enzymes, whereas silymarin decreased serum activity of ALP and AST hepatic enzymes. The CCl₄-challenged birds revealed considerable hepatic injures characterized by moderate to severe hepatocellular degeneration around the portal vein, aggregation of inflammatory cells, granulomatosis, cytolytic necrosis, periportal space fibrosis, and sinusoidal dilatation. However, liver damages were amended by the silymarin. In line with molecular study, a remarkable down-regulation was detected in the expression of CAT, GPx, and Mn-SOD hepatic genes in CCl₄-challenged birds, whereas silymarin significantly up-regulated aforementioned genes. In general, current study showed that silymarin has potential to alleviate the adverse effects of oxidative stress in poultry farms.

Formulation Strategies for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Silymarin: The State of the Art

Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignan and flavonoid polyphenolic compounds extractable from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-viral activities potentially useful in the treatment of several liver disorders, such as chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Equally promising are the effects of silymarin in protecting the brain from the inflammatory and oxidative stress effects by which metabolic syndrome contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. However, although clinical trials have proved that silymarin is safe at high doses (>1500 mg/day) in humans, it suffers limiting factors such as low solubility in water (<50 μg/mL), low bioavailability and poor intestinal absorption. To improve its bioavailability and provide a prolonged silymarin release at the site of absorption, the use of nanotechnological strategies appears to be a promising method to potentiate the therapeutic action and promote sustained release of the active herbal extract. The purpose of this study is to review the different nanostructured systems available in literature as delivery strategies to improve the absorption and bioavailability of silymarin.

Hepato-preventive and anti-apoptotic role of boric acid against liver injury induced by cyclophosphamide

This study aims to examine cyclophosphamide (CP) exsposure associated toxicity on rat livers and the likely defensive effects of boric acid (BA). The rats used in this study were divided into four groups: control group, CP group, BA group, and BA + CP group. The present study was carried out using routine histological H&E stain, immunohistochemical stain caspase-3 as apoptotic marker, serum biochemical analysis for liver function markers (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkalen phosphatase (ALP)), oxidative stress markers (total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and total antioxidant capacity marker (TAC)). In the CP group, the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TOS, OSI and caspase-3 increased whereas TAC levels decreased compared with the control group. In the BA + CP group, the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TOS, OSI and caspase-3 decreased whereas TAC levels increased compared with the CP group. The histopathological evaluation of light microscope images and immunohistochemical caspase-3 activity in the BA + CP group were found to be decrease compared with those in the CP group. In conclusion, BA was successful in defending the liver against apoptosis and histopathological changes that are attributable to CP.

Enhancement of Silymarin Anti-fibrotic Effects by Complexation With Hydroxypropyl (HPBCD) and Randomly Methylated (RAMEB) β-Cyclodextrins in a Mouse Model of Liver Fibrosis

Silymarin (Sy) shows limited water solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Water-soluble hydroxypropyl (HPBCD) and randomly methylated (RAMEB) β-cyclodextrins were designed to enhance anti-fibrotic efficiency of silymarin in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Experimental fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection with 2 ml/kg CCl₄ (20% v/v) twice a week, for 7 weeks. Mice were orally treated with 50 mg/kg of Sy-HPBCD, Sy-RAMEB and free silymarin. For assessment of the spontaneous reversion of fibrosis, CCl₄ treated animals were investigated after 2 weeks of recovery time. The CCl₄ administration increased hepatic oxidative stress, augmented the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad 2/3, and decreased Smad 7 expression. Furthermore, increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression indicated activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), while up-regulation of collagen I (Col I) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression led to an altered extracellular matrix enriched in collagen, confirmed as well by trichrome staining and electron microscopy analysis. Treatment with Sy-HPBCD and Sy-RAMEB significantly reduced liver injury, attenuating oxidative stress, restoring antioxidant balance in the hepatic tissue, and significantly decreasing collagen deposits in the liver. The levels of pro-fibrogenic markers' expression were also significantly down-regulated, whereas in the group for spontaneous regression of fibrosis, they remained significantly higher, even at 2 weeks after CCl₄ administration was discontinued. The recovery was significantly lower for free silymarin group compared to silymarin/β cyclodextrins co-treatments. Sy-HPBCD was found to be the most potent anti-fibrotic complex. We demonstrated that Sy-HPBCD and Sy-RAMEB complexes decreased extracellular matrix accumulation by inhibiting HSC activation and diminished the oxidative damage. This might occur via the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad signal transduction and MMP/tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP) rebalance, by blocking the synthesis of Col I and decreasing collagen deposition. These results suggest that complexation of silymarin with HPBCD or RAMEB represent viable options for the its oral delivery, of the flavonoid as a potential therapeutic entity candidate, with applications in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Solid lipid nanoparticles as attractive drug vehicles: Composition, properties and therapeutic strategies

This work briefly reviews up-to-date developments in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as effective nanocolloidal system for drug delivery. It summarizes SLNs in terms of their preparation, surface modification and properties. The application of SLNs as a carrier system enables to improve the therapeutic efficacy of drugs from various therapeutic groups. Present uses of SLNs include cancer therapy, dermatology, bacterial infections, brain targeting and eye disorders among others. The usage of SLNs provides enhanced pharmacokinetic properties and modulated release of drugs. SLN ubiquitous application results from their specific features such as possibility of surface modification, increased permeation through biological barriers, resistance to chemical degradation, possibility of co-delivery of various therapeutic agents or stimuli-responsiveness. This paper will be useful to the scientists working in the domain of SLN-based drug delivery systems.

Silymarin Accelerates Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy

Partial hepatectomy (PHx) is a liver regeneration physiological response induced to maintain homeostasis. Liver regeneration evolved presumably to protect wild animals from catastrophic liver loss caused by toxins or tissue injury. Silymarin (Sm) ability to stimulate liver regeneration has been an object of curiosity for many years. Silymarin has been investigated for use as an antioxidant and anticarcinogen. However, its use as a supportive treatment for liver damage is elusive. In this study, we fed silymarin (Sm, 25 mg/kg) to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 7 weeks. Surgical 2/3 PHx was then conducted on the rats at 6 hrs, 24 hrs, and 72 hrs. Western blot and RT-PCR were conducted to detect the cell cycle activities and silymarin effects on hepatic regeneration. The results showed that silymarin enhanced liver regeneration by accelerating the cell cycle in PHx liver. Silymarin led to increased G1 phase (cyclin D1/pRb), S phase (cyclin E/E2F), G2 phase (cyclin B), and M phase (cyclin A) protein and mRNA at 6 hrs, 24 hrs, and 72 hrs PHx. HGF, TGFα, and TGFβ1 growth factor expressions were also enhanced. We suggest that silymarin plays a crucial role in accelerated liver regeneration after PHx.