Effect of silymarin on UVB-induced sunburn cells in the skin of NER-deficient and their wild-types.

<p>(A), Silymarin repairs UVB-induced sunburn cells in NER-proficient mouse skin but not in NER-deficient mouse skin. Mice were exposed to UVB (240 mJ/cm²) with or without the treatment of silymarin, and sacrificed 24 h later. Skin samples were collected and subjected to H&E staining for the analysis of sunburn cells under microscope. Sunburn cells are shown by dark brown, n = 5/group. Some sunburn cells are shown by arrows. (B), The number of sunburn cells were counted per 1 cm length of epidermis from each mouse, and data are summarized in terms of mean±SD, n = 5 mice/group. Significant less number of SCs in NER^+/+ mouse skin <i>vs</i> non-silymarin-treated NER^+/+ wild-type mice, ^*<i>P</i><0.001. ND = not detectable.