Comparing the Effect of Silybin and Silybin Advanced™ on Viability and <i>HER2</i> Expression on the Human Breast Cancer SKBR3 Cell Line by no Serum Starvation

Abstract

The polyphenol silybin has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. The poor bioavailability of some polyphenols (flavonoids, and terpenoids) can be improved by binding them to phosphatidylcholine (phytosome technology). Many studies have focused on the most common phytosome, silybin-phosphatidylcholine, particularly for its hepatoprotective effects. However, in recent years, studies have also been conducted to determine its anti-cancer effect. Considering that the serum starvation should not be used for studies that are not focused on cell cycle arrest, we studied the effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine from Silybin Advanced™ in 1:2 ratio (one part silybin bound to two parts phosphatidylcholine) on HER2 gene expression on the SKBR3 breast cancer cell line which were cultured in complete medium (not serum deprivation). The results were compared with our previous study of silybin on HER2 expression on SKBR3 cells.