Silibinin's mode of action against hepatitis C virus

Background: Silymarin extracted from milk thistle fruit (Cardui fructus) has been used as a hepatoprotective drug since ancient times. A few years ago first data emerged suggesting antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) for silibinin, a silymarin component. The mechanisms by which HCV suppression occurs have not been fully characterized yet. A substantial amount of data has been produced leading to different hypotheses how silibinin interacts with the HCV reproductive cycle. Inhibition of RNA polymerase (NS5B): Previously it has been shown by different independent investigators that silymarin-derived…