Investigation the effect of Silymarin on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in HCV infected cell line

Document Type : Original Research

Author
M. Ravanshad
Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University
Abstract
Introduction

Hepatitis C infection causes an increase in oxidative stress in infected cells, followed by Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression. Silybum marianum, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants that has been used to control and reduce hepatitis manifestations, which contains silymarin –the effective component- that could protect liver cells.

Methods

In this study, Huh7 cell line originated from liver were infected by HCV virus model and then treated by silymarin. In order to investigate the anti-oxidative effect, the expression of COX-2 gene that plays central role, was measured in serial concentration of silymarin by developed quantitative RT-Real time-PCR.

Results

Findings of the study showed that silymarin could control expression of COX-2 as well as oxidative stress. It was showed that, silymarin at the concentration of more than 200μM could reduce the expression of COX-2 and oxidative stress, and also it was concluded that silymarin above 300μM, could likewise have therapeutic effect on increased oxidative stress as well as COX-2 gene expression in HCV infected cells.

Conclusion It was concluded that inhibition of COX-2 by silymarin has been considered as a promising and effective strategy for prevention and treatment of HCV and liver injuries and cancer.

Keywords

Subjects

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Pathobiology Reserach
Volume 25, Issue 1
January 2022
Pages 61-67