Activation of the SIRT1 pathway and modulation of the cell cycle were involved in silymarin's protection against UV-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis.

Silymarin, derived from the milk thistle plant, Silybum marianum, has been traditionally used in the treatment of liver disease. Our previous study demonstrated that silymarin has an anti-apoptotic effect against UV irradiation. In this study, SIRT1, a human deacetylase that was reported to promote cell survival, was activated by silymarin (5 x 10(- 4) mol/L) in UV-irradiated human malignant melanoma, A375-S2 cells, followed by down-regulated expression of Bax and decreased release of cytochrome c. Cleavage of procaspase-3 and digestion of its substrates, the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), were also reduced. Consistent with its protective effect on UV-induced apoptosis, silymarin (5 x 10(- 4) mol/L) also increased G(2)/M phase arrest, possibly providing a prolonged time for efficient DNA repair. Consequently, that silymarin protected A375-S2 cell against UV-induced apoptosis was partially through SIRT1 pathway and modulation of the cell cycle distribution.