A comprehensive evaluation of the therapeutic potential of silibinin: a ray of hope in cancer treatment

Abstract

Natural compounds hold promise in the search for cancer therapies due to their unique chemical structures and combinations that may effectively combat cancer while minimizing toxicity and side effects compared to conventional treatments. Silibinin, a natural lignan, has been found to possess strong anti-cancer activity against several types of human cancers based on emerging research. This study aims to provide an overview of the therapeutic potential of silibinin in the treatment and prevention of cancers. A comprehensive search was conducted using various internet databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect to identify relevant research papers. Silibinin has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity against several types of cancers, including liver, lungs, breast, prostate, colorectal, skin, and bladder cancers. Its multifaceted mechanisms of action contribute to its therapeutic effects. Silibinin exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic activities, making it a promising candidate for cancer therapy. One of the key mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of silibinin is its ability to modulate multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. It can inhibit the activation of various oncogenic pathways, including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK pathways, thereby suppressing cancer cell proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, and promoting apoptosis. Silibinin possesses great potential as an effective treatment agent for cancer. The multifaceted mechanisms of action, favorable safety profile, and potential synergistic effects of silibinin with conventional therapies make it an attractive candidate for further investigation and development as a cancer treatment. However, more extensive clinical studies are necessary to fully establish the efficacy, optimal dosage, and long-term effects of silibinin in cancer treatment.

Keywords: anti-angiogenic; anti-inflammatory; anti-metastatic; anti-proliferative; antioxidant; apoptosis; cancer; silibinin.

FIGURE 1

An overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor actions of silibinin. Silibinin exerts a direct inhibitory effect on various factors involved in cell division and proliferation, including metalloproteinases (MMPs), anti-apoptosis proteins such as Bcl-2, growth factors such as Flt, VEGF, AR, PSA, and IGF, cell mitogen controllers such as PI3K, Akt, MAPK, cell cycle regulators such as the CDK family and pSTAT3. Additionally, it enhances the activity of apoptotic inducers such as JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases), Cip and Kip families, and growth inhibitors such as IGFBP. Consequently, silibinin exhibits anti-tumor effects.

FIGURE 2

Potential effects of silibinin on lung cancer through several mechanisms. These include causing apoptosis, disrupting the cell cycle, inhibiting angiogenesis, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting metastatic spread, and influencing signaling pathways. These mechanisms help control the growth and survival of cancerous cells, prevent uncontrolled growth, and limit blood supply to tumors.

FIGURE 3

Silibinin has the potential to treat breast cancer by promoting apoptosis, disrupting the cell cycle, inhibiting cancer cell division, and reducing angiogenic factors. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits metastasis, interacting with key signaling pathways.

FIGURE 4

Potentiality of silibinin in combating pancreatic cancer by triggering apoptosis, disrupting the cell cycle, and modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. It also inhibits metastasis, oxidative stress, and downregulates NF-κB, making it a promising candidate for further exploration in pancreatic cancer therapeutics.

FIGURE 5

The schematic overview of the review studies.