Molecular mechanism of silymarin-induced apoptosis in a highly metastatic lung cancer cell line anip973.

Background: Silymarin, the main flavonoid constituent element extracted from Silybum marianum possessing antioxidant activity, is already known to be able to block the NF-kappa B activation process and result in cell apoptosis, implicating silymarin's potential to control cancer cell growth. Materials and Methods: In this study, based upon the above assumption, silymarin was administered to a highly metastatic lung cancer cell line Anip973 to test silymarin's role in cancer cell proliferation. Results: Silymarin had significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of Anip973 cells in a dose-dependent and time-response manner within 48 hours. Silymarin can induce Anip973 apoptosis. Conclusions: Silymarin may in vitro inhibit the proliferation of the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line Anip973 and induce apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade pathway.