Glycosylation of silybin

Abstract

Silybin glycosides—23-O-β-glucoside 2b, β-galactoside 3b, β-lactoside 4b and β-maltoside 5b—have been synthesized by different methods (Helferich glycosylation, Lewis acid catalysis). Separation of two silybin diastereoisomers in the form of acetylated monoglycosides has been achieved for the first time. These new silybin glycosides are 4–30 times more water-soluble, and their hepatoprotectivity is increased compared with that of the parent compound silybin 1.