Silybin has been found to stabilise cell membranes, thus preventing toxic chemicals from entering the cell and exporting toxins out of the cell before damage ensues. It acts as a free radical scavenger and protects gluthathione (natural antioxidant enzyme) from being depleted. Gluthathione is responsible for detoxifying a wide range of chemicals. Increasing the gluthathione content of the liver means the liver has an increased capacity for detoxification reaction.