Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
34863 | Process Biochemistry | 2013 | 6 Pages |
The flavonolignan isosilybin (1) is one of the silybin congeners contained in the silymarin complex, which is isolated from the seeds of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum). A number of recent studies have demonstrated that isosilybin is probably the most potent anticancer agent found in silymarin. It occurs as a mixture of two diastereoisomers, A and B. Lipase Novozym 435 was found to allow the preparative production of both optically pure isosilybin A and B in a diastereoisomeric purity of over 95%. A preparatory method based on the enzymatic resolution and other purification methods has been developed, enabling multigram amounts of both optically pure isosilybins A (1a) and B (1b) to be obtained.
► Isosilybin is probably the most potent anticancer compound in silymarin. ► Preparatory method for isolation of optically pure isosilybin A and B was developed. ► A core of the method is diastereomeric discrimination with lipase Novozym 435. ► Other pure silymarin components, such as taxifolin and silydianin can be obtained.