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Positive effect of silymarin on cell growth and differentiation in bovine and murine mammary cells
Author(s) -
Starvaggi Cucuzza L.,
Motta M.,
Miretti S.,
Macchi E.,
Martignani E.,
Accornero P.,
Baratta M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2008.00890.x
Subject(s) - cell growth , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , mammary gland , cellular differentiation , cell culture , biology , biochemistry , genetics , gene , cancer , breast cancer
Summary Silymarin, a naturally acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases has been tested in murine (HC11) and bovine (BME‐UV) mammary epithelial cell lines to evaluate a possible direct effect on cell growth and differentiation in mammary gland. Silymarin enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05) from 10 to 1000 ng/ml in association with growth factors, (up to 20%) or alone (up to 15%) versus controls. Furthermore, silymarin (100 ng/ml) was able to increase (p < 0.05) β‐casein gene expression alone or in association with prolactin (5 μg/ml). These effects may be related with protein kinase B (AKT) activation induced by silymarin treatment (p < 0.05) and/or by a dose‐related inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on caspase‐3 activity related to a protective role in cell apoptosis. These data suggest that silymarin should be considered a candidate to support mammary gland activity during a lactogenetic state.