Silymarin, a naturally acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases has been tested in murine (HC11) and bovine (BME-UV) mammary epithelial cell lines to evaluate a possible direct effect on cell growth and differentiation in mammary gland. Silymarin enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05) from 10 to 1000 ng/ml in association with growth factors, (up to 20%) or alone (up to 15%) versus controls. Furthermore, silymarin (100 ng/ml) was able to increase (p < 0.05) beta-casein gene expression alone or in association with prolactin (5 microg/ml). These effects may be related with protein kinase B (AKT) activation induced by silymarin treatment (p < 0.05) and/or by a dose-related inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on caspase-3 activity related to a protective role in cell apoptosis. These data suggest that silymarin should be considered a candidate to support mammary gland activity during a lactogenetic state.

Positive effect of silymarin on cell growth and differentiation in bovine and murine mammary cells

STARVAGGI CUCUZZA, Laura;MIRETTI, SILVIA;MACCHI, Elisabetta;MARTIGNANI, EUGENIO;ACCORNERO, Paolo;BARATTA, Mario
2010-01-01

Abstract

Silymarin, a naturally acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases has been tested in murine (HC11) and bovine (BME-UV) mammary epithelial cell lines to evaluate a possible direct effect on cell growth and differentiation in mammary gland. Silymarin enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05) from 10 to 1000 ng/ml in association with growth factors, (up to 20%) or alone (up to 15%) versus controls. Furthermore, silymarin (100 ng/ml) was able to increase (p < 0.05) beta-casein gene expression alone or in association with prolactin (5 microg/ml). These effects may be related with protein kinase B (AKT) activation induced by silymarin treatment (p < 0.05) and/or by a dose-related inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on caspase-3 activity related to a protective role in cell apoptosis. These data suggest that silymarin should be considered a candidate to support mammary gland activity during a lactogenetic state.
2010
94
111
117
Starvaggi Cucuzza L; Motta M; Miretti S; Macchi E; Martignani E; Accornero P; Baratta M
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2010 Starvaggi JAnimPhysiolAnimNutr.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 415.8 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
415.8 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/99978
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 14
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 11
social impact