Evaluation effects of silymarin on cytotoxicity and apoptosis on SW480 colon cancer cell line

Silymarin, extracted from the milk thistle, is rich in flavolignans such as silybinin, silidianin, and silycristine. Several studies have been done on its anticancer effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cytotoxicity and induction of silymarin-induced apoptosis on colon cancer SW480 and normal HEK-293 cell lines.

In the present study, the effect of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by silymarin on colon cancer SW480 and Normal HEK-293 cell lines were investigated by different methods such as trypan blue staining, MTT assay, Annexin V/PI staining, and evaluating the expression level of BAX and BCL2 Genes by q-PCR technique.

The results of the trypan blue staining and MTT assay indicated the cytotoxicity effects of silymarin in SW480 cells in a time-dependent manner. The IC50 was also evaluated. However, no cytotoxic effects were observed in HEK-293 cells after treatment with silymarin. Also, an increase of apoptosis in SW480 cells that were treated with 50 and 100 µg/mL silymarin was observed. An increase in BAX/BCL2 gene expression level was also observed in SW480 cells compared to HEK-293 cells.

According to the results of the present study, silymarin can induce toxicity and cell apoptosis in the colon cancer cell line without causing cytotoxicity in the normal cell line. So silymarin can be suggested for effective treatment of colon cancer.