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. 2025 Jun;83(2):2405-2414.
doi: 10.1007/s12013-024-01650-w. Epub 2025 Jan 2.

Mechanistic Insights into Silymarin-Induced Apoptosis and Growth Inhibition in SPC212 Human Mesothelioma Cells

Özlem Tomsuk  1   2   3 , Sedat Kaçar  4   5   6
Affiliations

Mechanistic Insights into Silymarin-Induced Apoptosis and Growth Inhibition in SPC212 Human Mesothelioma Cells

Özlem Tomsuk et al. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Silymarin, a flavonoid complex isolated from Silybum marianum, possesses various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation, and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of silymarin on the SPC212 human mesothelioma cell line. MTT and neutral red assays were performed to examine the cytotoxic effects of silymarin. The apoptotic effect was investigated using AO/EB and DAPI staining, and morphological changes were observed using H&E and May-Grünwald staining. Additionally, immunocytochemistry was performed to detect Bax, Bcl2, and PCNA. Our results indicated that silymarin has a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on SPC212 cells, with an IC50 value of approximately 187.5 µM. Silymarin induces apoptotic hallmarks such as apoptotic bodies, cell shrinkage, and nuclear condensation. In conclusion, silymarin demonstrated cytotoxic and apoptotic effects as well as morphological changes in SPC212 human mesothelioma cells. Further detailed studies are warranted to explore the potential of silymarin as an anti-cancer agent.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cytotoxicity; Immunocytochemistry; SPC212 human mesothelioma cells; Silymarin.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with ethical standards. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: This article does not include any studies involving human participants performed by any of the authors.

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