Gram-positive bacteria specific properties of silybin derived from Silybum marianum.
Lee, Dong Gun 1; Kim, Hyung Keun 2; Park, Yoonkyung 2; Park, Seong-Cheol 2; Woo, Eun-Rhan 2,3; Jeong, Hye Gwang 2,3; Hahm, Kyung-Soo 2
[Article] Archives of Pharmacal Research. 26(8):597-600, August 2003.

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: Silybin has a potent antibacterial activity, more potent than silymarin II, against gram-positive bacteria without hemolytic activity, whereas it has no antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria or fungi. The mode of action of silybin against the gram-positive bacterial cell was examined by investigating the change in plasma membrane dynamics of bacterial cells using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hextriene (DPH) as a membrane probe and by assessing the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis using radiolabeled incorporation assay. The results showed that silybin inhibited RNA and protein synthesis on gram-positive bacteria.

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