The Role of Phytochemical Components in the Therapy of Liver Diseases and Uterine Fibroids and Their Organic Chemical Classification
Senior Lecturer of the Department of Medical and Biological Chemistry
Fergana Public Health Medical Institute
Rozia Mamadaliyevna Nazirtashova
Second-Year Pharmacy Student
Merojxon Ahliddin qizi Majidova
Abstract
This article explores the biological and chemical interrelations of phytotherapy in the treatment of liver pathologies and hormone-dependent benign tumors, particularly uterine fibroids. The study mainly focuses on the chemical structures, stereochemistry, isomerism, and mechanisms of action of biologically active organic compounds such as flavonolignans, glycosides, and alkaloids found in medicinal plants including Silybum marianum, Rhodiola quadrifida, and Chelidonium majus.
Keywords: Silybum marianum, Rhodiola quadrifida, Chelidonium majus, silybin diastereomers, flavonolignans, phenylethanoid glycosides, chelidonine alkaloid, estrogen metabolism, hepatoprotective activity, uterine fibroids, phytochemical analysis, stereochemistry.
Introduction
In the human body, gynecological homeostasis and hepatobiliary system functions are closely interconnected. Liver cells (hepatocytes) perform the detoxification and utilization of excess steroid hormones, especially estrogen, which is considered the main stimulator in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. When liver function deteriorates or hepatocyte membranes are damaged, the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous hormones becomes impaired. As a result, the concentration of free estrogen in blood plasma increases, contributing to the enlargement of uterine fibroids, which are hormone-dependent tumors. Therefore, the use of phytochemical compounds promoting liver regeneration indirectly provides significant therapeutic benefits in fibroid therapy.
Main Part
Medicinal Plants Used in Liver Diseases
Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) — Silymarin Complex
The active extract isolated from Silybum marianum fruits, known as Silymarin, is a polyphenolic compound belonging to the flavonolignan class. The most active component of silymarin is Silibinin (Silybin), with the molecular formula C25H22O10 and molecular weight of 482.441 g/mol. It naturally occurs as an equimolar mixture of two diastereomers: Silybin A and Silybin B. Their molecular difference lies in the spatial configuration of hydroxymethyl (-CH2OH) and phenyl groups at chiral centers.
Silymarin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely used to protect liver cells from toxins and to support treatment of liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. It reduces damage caused by toxins, medications, and free radicals, stimulates protein synthesis in hepatocytes, and enhances liver regeneration. Silymarin is commonly prescribed as supportive therapy in chronic hepatitis and alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Typical dosage ranges from 100 to 300 mg daily.
Regioisomers
The extract also contains regioisomers such as Isosilybin A and Isosilybin B, Silychristin containing a benzofuran heterocyclic ring, and Silydianin characterized by a bicyclic ketone system. The biosynthetic precursor of these compounds is the flavanonol Taxifolin (C15H12O7).
For liver protection and профилактика, recommended doses are 140–280 mg/day. In chronic hepatitis and steatosis, 140 mg two or three times daily is administered. In Amanita phalloides poisoning, intravenous doses of 20–30 mg/kg/day are used to block amanitin uptake into hepatocytes.
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) — Hypericin
Hypericin is a polycyclic aromatic compound derived from anthraquinone with the molecular formula C30H16O8. Due to its highly conjugated pi-electron system, it demonstrates anti-inflammatory and strong photodynamic activity. It reduces bile stasis in the gallbladder and hepatic ducts.
Hypericin exhibits significant biological activity:
– Antidepressant effects by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine;
– Antiviral activity against enveloped viruses, including HIV and cytomegalovirus;
– Photodynamic activation under light exposure, producing reactive oxygen species capable of destroying cancer cells.
Because of its photosensitizing effects, hypericin may increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, causing burns or rashes.
Medicinal Plants Used in Uterine Fibroid Therapy
Rhodiola quadrifida (Red Brush) — Salidroside, Phenylethanoid Glycoside
Molecular formula: C14H20O7. The molecule consists of glucose and p-tyrosol (aglycone) linked via a beta-glycosidic bond.
Salidroside possesses adaptogenic properties and stabilizes estrogen and progesterone balance. Since uterine fibroids are hormone-dependent tumors, chronic stress may disrupt hormonal balance and accelerate fibroid growth. Salidroside reduces cortisol levels and helps normalize hormonal status.
Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects reduce oxidative stress and pathological fibrosis in uterine tissues. In vitro studies indicate that salidroside can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of gynecological tumor cells. However, sufficient clinical evidence confirming its effectiveness in shrinking uterine fibroids in humans is still lacking.
Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine) — Chelidonine
Chelidonine belongs to the benzophenanthridine alkaloid group with the molecular formula C20H19NO5. Due to the presence of a tertiary amine group, it forms salts with acids and exhibits high toxicity.
Chelidonine demonstrates cytostatic activity by inhibiting mitosis, thereby suppressing hyperplasia and proliferation of fibroid tissues. However, unsupervised use may result in hepatotoxicity.
Chemical Basis of Antioxidant Mechanisms
The hepatoprotective effects of polyphenolic compounds such as silymarin and hypericin are associated with the hydrogen-donating ability of their phenolic hydroxyl (-OH) groups. Free radicals damaging liver tissue react with phytochemical antioxidants according to the following mechanism:
Ar-OH + R• → Ar-O• + RH
Table of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Compounds
Plant Name| Active Compound| Chemical Class| Molecular Formula| Main Function
Silybum marianum| Silibinin (A and B)| Flavonolignan| C25H22O10| Restoration of hepatocyte membranes
Hypericum perforatum| Hypericin| Anthraquinone derivative| C30H16O8| Choleretic and anti-inflammatory effect
Rhodiola quadrifida| Salidroside| Phenylethanoid glycoside| C14H20O7| Modulation of estrogen/progesterone balance
Chelidonium majus| Chelidonine| Benzophenanthridine alkaloid| C20H19NO5| Cytostatic inhibition of tumor growth
Conclusion
This study presents new scientific perspectives on understanding the pathogenetic relationship between liver diseases and uterine fibroids based on principles of organic chemistry and modern phytopharmacology. The findings indicate that the functional state of the hepatobiliary system plays a crucial role in regulating hormonal homeostasis, particularly estrogen metabolism.
Diastereomers and regioisomers of silibinin found in Silybum marianum stabilize hepatocyte membranes and inhibit lipid peroxidation, thereby enhancing detoxification capacity and indirectly reducing hormonal imbalance that stimulates fibroid growth.
At the same time, glycosides of Rhodiola quadrifida and alkaloids of Chelidonium majus exhibit selective cytostatic and adaptogenic effects on fibroid tissue proliferation. Nevertheless, the high biological activity of phytochemical substances and the hepatotoxic risk associated with compounds such as chelidonine require careful medical supervision during phytotherapy.
Considering the potential negative effects of phytoestrogen-containing plants in patients with uterine fibroids, phytotherapy should not be regarded as an independent treatment method but rather as a supportive synergistic approach complementing standard clinical therapy under physician supervision.
Future studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms of natural polyphenols and alkaloids may contribute to the development of new safe therapeutic agents at the intersection of gynecology and hepatology.