Silymarin inhibits TNF‐α‐induced expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Silymarin is known to have an anti‐atherosclerotic activity, but the mechanism responsible for it remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate a possible mechanism involved in the anti‐atherosclerotic activity of silymarin. Silymarin inhibited THP‐1 cell adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Silymarin also suppressed the TNF‐α‐induced protein and mRNA expression of adhesion molecules, such as VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1 and E‐selectin, in HUVECs. Moreover, silymarin suppressed the TNF‐α‐induced DNA binding of NF‐κB/Rel in HUVECs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that silymarin exerts an anti‐atherosclerotic activity, at least in part, by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules.