Effects of silymarin on hepatitis C virus and haem oxygenase-1 gene expression in human hepatoma cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global medical problem. The current standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, is prolonged, expensive, has serious side effects and, at best, is only 50% effective. Silymarin (SI) is a natural antioxidant often used by patients with CHC, although its efficacy for decreasing HCV levels or ameliorating CHC remains uncertain. HCV infection is associated with increased hepatic oxidative stress, and one of the antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against this stress is haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

Methods

We investigated effects of SI on HCV and HO-1 gene expression in Huh-7 cells, CNS3 and 9-13 cells (the latter two stably expressing HCV-proteins).

Results

Silymarin significan

SUBMITTER: Bonifaz V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3418691 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature