THE MODE OF ACTION OF SILYMARIN IS MULTIFACETED. HOWEVER, 2 PRINCIPLE MECHANISMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE LIVER: 1.HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SILYMARIN IS AS A RESULT OF BOTH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH LIVER CELL MEMBRANE, AND AN ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT. 2. HEPATOREGENERATIVE EFFECT OF SILYMARIN IS ACHIEVED THROUGH STIMULATION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS. SILYMARIN STIMULATES RNA POLYMERASE A (ALSO KNOWN AS RNA POLYMERASE I), ENHANCES RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, RESULTING IN STIMULATION OF HEPATIC CELL DEVELOPMENT AND REGENERATION.