Silybin

Category: flavonoid

Pharmacological Mechanism

Principal flavonolignan in the silymarin complex from Silybum marianum. Hepatoprotective via free-radical scavenging, hepatocyte membrane stabilization, inhibition of CYP3A4/P-gp (clinical DDI risk), and Amanita phalloides poisoning antidote (IV silibinin = Legalon SIL). Mixed silybin A + B diastereomers in extracts.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 6h, IV: 6h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 280 mg (Range: 60–600 mg)
• IV: Typical 500 mg (Range: 100–1000 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• digestive

Notes

Loram 2007 + others — oral F is very low (~1-4%); silybin-phytosome (Siliphos) and silibinin meglumine improve absorption ~10x.

Chemical Identifiers

• Molecular weight: 482.44 g/mol

References

• PMID 17125289