Interaction of milk-thistle-fruit flavanonols with Langmuir monolayers of lecithin and bilayers of liposomes

• Published in: Pharmaceutical chemistry journal Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 101 - 109
• Main Authors: Kurkin, V. A, Ryzhov, V. M, Biryukova, O. V, Mel'nikova, N. B, Selekhov, V. V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Boston : Springer US 01-02-2009; Springer US
• Subjects: flavolignans; flavonoids; lecithin; liposomes; Medicinal Plants; Medicine; membrane-stabilizing activity; Organic Chemistry; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; silybin; Silybum marianum; Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn; taxifolin; membrane-stabilizing activity; liposomes; silybin; (L.) Gaertn; lecithin; flavonoids; milk thistle; flavolignans; dihydroquercetin
• ISSN: 0091-150X; 1573-9031
• DOI: 10.1007/s11094-009-0241-z

Interactions of silybin and dihydroquercetin (taxifolin), flavanonols from milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] fruits, with Langmuir monolayers of lecithin and bilayers of liposomes are compared. It is established that the investigated flavanonols have different mechanisms of action. Taxifolin produces predominantly membrane-stabilizing action whereas silybin is characterized by immobilization in the hydrophobic part of the phospholipid bilayer with the formation of more hydrophilic micellar structures. The presence of silybin and taxifolin in the liquid extract of milk thistle fruits suggests that a dual mechanism of action may occur in this preparation and also in other combined medicines based on these fruits. The results of this study show good prospects for creating combined preparations based on milk thistle fruit, taxifolin, and other flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, diosmin, etc.) possessing pronounced membrane-stabilizing action.