[General pharmacologic properties of silybine and silymarine in the rat]

Silybine is the main active substance of the polyhydroxyphenylchromanone derivatives extracted from the seeds of Silybum Marianum. In the normal albinos rat, this pure compound (from 2 mg/100 g) lowers directly the systemic blood pressure. It does not increase vascular permeability. It potentiates post-serotonine hypertension. Silybine antagonizes cutaneous oedemas and suppresses the fall of blood pressure induced by dextran polymers. It inhibits anaphylactic shock in rats sensitized by ovalbumine. Silybine seems to be a stabilizer of mastcells membranes, thus preventing histamine release.