• In vitro evaluation of silibinin effect on insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) expression in human foreskin fibroblast
  • Marzieh Hadavy,1,* Hengameh Hooshiar Chaman Ara,2 Jina khayatzadeh,3 Soroosh Montazeri,4 Soodabeh Eliasyi,5 Saeede Zafarbalanejad,6
    1. Biology Dept.,Science Faculty,Mashhad Branch,Islamic Azad university, Mashhad,Iran.
    2. Biology Dept.,Science Faculty,Mashhad Branch,Islamic Azad university, Mashhad,Iran.
    3. Biology Dept.,Science Faculty,Mashhad Branch,Islamic Azad university, Mashhad,Iran.
    4. School of Biology Damghan university,damghan.Iran.
    5. Biology Dept.,Science Faculty,Mashhad Branch,Islamic Azad university, Mashhad,Iran.
    6. Biology Dept.,Science Faculty,Mashhad Branch,Islamic Azad university, Mashhad,Iran.


  • Introduction: Fibroblasts are fixed cells of connective tissue, but throughout life, they mamtain their growth and repair potency. Moreover, they are involved in production of growth factors which are effective on cells growth and differentiation. These cells are the most adaptable cells in connective tissue that pose significant capacity for differentiation to the other members of this cell group. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth and contimues to have anabolic effects in adults and in differentiation and growth of various cell limes. Silibinin is the most important and active component of silymarin, which is extracted from seeds of Silybum marianum, belongs to Asteraceae aster family, This compound has some anti-infammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-proliferative properties.
  • Methods: In this study we evaluated the silibinin effect on viability and IGF-1 gene expression in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF). First, the cytotoxic effect of silibinin in 10, 20, 40 & 60 µM on HFF cells was evaluated using MTT assay, after 24 & 48 hours. Then, the expression of IGF-1 gene was evaluated after extraction of RNA from the HFF cells and by means of real time-PCR test Based on MTT assay results.
  • Results: silibinin had toxic effect on HFF cells in dose-dependent manner after 24 hours of incubation but in contrast. it was not significant after 48 hour Besides, after 24 hour of incubation, silibinin with a concentration of 20-60 µM significantly increased the IGF-1 gene expression in fibroblast cells in comparison with control group. Based on the results; probably silibinin in dose dependent manner siguificantly induces IGF-1 gene expression after 24 hour incubation with HFF cells However, in cytotoxicity assay, concentration of 60 µM caused the highest rate of cell death after 24 hours.
  • Conclusion: So, for introduction this compound as a stimulant of fibroblasts proliferation, more exteusive studies are needed.
  • Keywords: Silibinin,Fibroblast,IGF-1.