Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39852395›Full record

ArticleMetabolites2025

Silymarin as a Therapeutic Agent for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Approach Computational Study.

Ouided Benslama, Sabrina Lekmine, Hamza Moussa, Hichem Tahraoui, Mohammad Shamsul Ola, Jie Zhang, Abdeltif Amrane

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Metabolites, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Phytochemistry and In Vitro Bioactivities ofMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
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  5. Bioactive Potential and COX-2 Interaction ofMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
  6. Review
  7. Therapeutic Insights intoPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Effects ofVeterinary sciences · 2025
    Article
  11. Review
  12. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ouided BenslamaLaboratory of Natural Substances, Biomolecules and Biotechnological Applications, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Ben M'Hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi 04000, Algeria.ORCID 0000-0002-7946-219X
Sabrina LekmineBiotechnology, Water, Environment and Health Laboratory, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela 40000, Algeria.ORCID 0000-0002-4945-7170
Hamza MoussaLaboratoire de Gestion et Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles et Assurance Qualité (LGVRNAQ), Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Bouira, Bouira 10000, Algeria.ORCID 0000-0002-8507-9760
Hichem TahraouiLaboratoire de Génie des Procédés Chimiques, Département de Génie des Procédés, Faculté de Technologie, Université Ferhat Abbas, Sétif-1, Sétif 19000, Algeria.ORCID 0000-0003-2209-6405
Mohammad Shamsul OlaDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-7479-8970
Jie ZhangSchool of Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-9745-664X
Abdeltif AmraneEcole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, University of Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR6226, 35000 Rennes, France.ORCID 0000-0003-2622-2384

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and lethal form of liver cancer with limited treatment options. Silymarin, a flavonoid complex derived from milk thistle, has shown promise in liver disease treatment due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of silymarin in HCC through a comprehensive in silico approach.

methodsThis study employed a network pharmacology approach to identify key molecular targets of silymarin in HCC. The Genecards and Metascape databases were used for target identification and functional annotation. Molecular docking analysis was conducted on the primary silymarin components against VEGFA and SRC proteins, which are critical in HCC progression. MD simulations followed to assess the stability and interactions of the docked complexes.

resultsNetwork pharmacology analysis identified several key molecular targets and pathways implicated in HCC. The molecular docking results revealed strong binding affinities of silymarin components to VEGFA and SRC, with Silybin A and Isosilybin B showing the highest affinities. MD simulations confirmed the stability of these interactions, indicating potential inhibitory effects on HCC progression.

conclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive in silico evaluation of silymarin's therapeutic potential in HCC. The findings suggest that silymarin, particularly its components Silybin A and Isosilybin B, may effectively target VEGFA and SRC proteins, offering a promising avenue for HCC treatment. Further experimental validation is warranted to confirm these findings and facilitate the development of silymarin-based therapeutics for HCC.

Indexed as

hepatocellular carcinomamolecular dockingmolecular dynamics simulationsnetwork pharmacologysilymarin

Identifiers

PMID39852395
PMCPMC11767256

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.