Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Silymarin: In-vivo Kinetics of Silymarin (Milk Thistle); a Hepatoprotective Agent

Silymarin is a purified extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianun (L.) Gaertn), composed of a mixture of isomeric flavonolignans: silybin (its main, active component), isosilybin, silydianin and silychristin. This extract has been empirically used as a remedy for almost 2000 years, and remains being used as a medicine for many types of acute and chronic liver diseases. Despite its routinely clinical use as hepatoprotectant, the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioaequivalence of two brands of Silymarin tablets in healthy male volunteers in local population. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non- compartmental method using Kinetica® PK/PD version 4.4 and MS Excel Windows professional XP. Maximum concentration of Silymarin in plasma (Cmax), time to these peak plasma concentrations (Tmax) and other bioparameters (AUC0-?, AUMC0-?, t1/2, Ke, MRT, Vd and ClT) were determined.