Silymarin as a vitagene modulator: effects on mitochondria integrity in stress conditions

Silymarin (SM) and its active constituents are shown to have various antioxidant actions and their mitochondria-stabilizing effects play major roles in stress protection. In vitro effects of SM/silybin (SB) on mitochondria include their regulatory effects on aldehyde oxidase enzyme expression and activity in mitochondria, prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction and membrane disruption, and regulation of mitochondrial fission. Effects of SB on mitochondria are condition-dependent, including its concentration, level of stress and, cell type. In in vivo studies, SM supplementation was associated with: prevention of oxidative stress and mitochondrial defects; preservation of hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics, proton leak and adenosine triphosphate content; stabilizing mitochondrial integrity, membrane fluidity, and membrane potential; restoring mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis; triggering pro-survival cell signaling and; inhibiting cardiomyocytes apoptosis. In stress conditions, SM can activate vitagenes, and prevent decreases in expression