Silybum
marianum.
St Mary's thistle,
Milk thistle, Marian thistle Family: Asteraceae
Noxious weed that grows thick in fertile areas, particularly around cultivated
fields. PART USED:Seeds TASTE and ODOR: Slight ACTIONS
1. Hepatoprotective.[1]
2. Bitter tonic- used for nursing mothers.[1]
3. Demulcent.[1]
4. Antidepressant.[1]
5. Hypolipidaemic and lowers fat deposits in the Liver in animals.[1] INDICATIONS- Indications similar to Holy Thistle. Germany uses extensively
for Liver disease and jaundice.[1]
1. Liver complaints.[1]Chronic
Hepatitis and Cirrhosis.[1] PREPARATIONS
Fluid extract 1:1 60 % alcohol 1-4 ml.[1]
1:1 in 45% alcohol.[2]
Silimarin 420 mg/day.[1] ORIGIN: Europe DESCRIPTION: Leaves spiny, dark green with a crenate margin and
conspicuous white veins. Flowerheads rayless, purple, solitary with sepal-like
bracts ending in sharp yellow spines. References
[1]Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations
R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published
in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company
Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound
by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
[2] The Pharmaceutical Plant Company Pty Ltd ppcherbs.com.au Images
1. davisla2.files.wordpress.com
2. youtube.com/user/natureherbs
3. usask.ca
by Jazeem Wahab (CSIDC, Outlook, SK) Doug Waterer (University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK)
4. churchofubuntu.org
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from
the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant
medicinally.Constituents
Flavolignans- The mixture of these is known
as "silymarin" and is composed of mostly silybin, with isosilybin, dihydrosilybin,
silydianin, silychristin.[1,2,3,4,5]
In some varieties at least, silandrin, silymonin, silyhermin and neosilyhermin.[1,2,3,4,5]
Silimarin has been shown to exert an antihepatotoxic effect in animals against
toxins, particularly those of th death cap mushroom Amanita phalloides.[4,5,6,7]
This muchroom is sometimes eaten after mistaken identification, although not
normally by the British who are unadventurous with food, and contains some of
the most potent liver toxins known. These are the amatoxins and phallotoxins,
both cause hemorrhagic necrosis of the liver with the amatoxins being the most
poisonous.[7] Pretreatment of animals
with silymarin and silybin gives 100% protection against this type of poisoning.[6,7]
When Silybin was given by intravenous injection to human patients up to 48 hours
after ingestion of the death cap mushroom, it was found to be very effective
in preventing fatalities.[8] Silymarin
has been used successfully to treat patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.[9,10]
It is active against hepatitis B virus,[11]
is hypolipidaemic and lowers fat depositis in the liver in animals.[12] Drug Interactions- Drugs with hepatoxic potential eg. paracetamol, erythromycin,
amitriptyline, alcohol. Herb has a hepatoprotective effect- so can be used beneficially
together. References
[1] Pelter, A. and Hansel. R. (1968) Tet. Lett. 19, 2911
[2] Wagner, H. et al. (1971) Tet. Lett. 22, 1985
[3] Neu, R. (1960) Arch. Pharm. 293, 269
[4] Desplaces, A. et al. (1975) Arzneim-Forsch. 25,
89
[5] Wagner, H. in; Advances in Chinese Medicinal Materials Research, Eds H.
M. chang et al. Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
[6] Tuchweber, B. et al. (1973) J. Med. 4, 327
[7] Vogel, G. et al. (1984) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 51,
265
[8] Hruby, K. et al. (1983) Hum. Toxicol. 2 (2), 183
[9] Poser, G. (1971) Arzneim- Forsch. 21, 1209
[10] Benda, I. and Zenz, W. (1973) Wien. Med. Wschr. 123, 512
[11] Devault, R. L. and Rosenbrook, W. (1973) J. Antibiotic 26,
532
[12] Qiu, S. J. et al. (1981) Chin. J. Cardiol. 9,
61
Research
Advances in the use of milk thistle (Silybum marianum).
Post-White J, Ladas EJ, Kelly KM. Abstract
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbal supplement used to treat liver and
biliary disorders. Silymarin, a mixture of flavanoid complexes, is the active
component that protects liver and kidney cells from toxic effects of drugs, including
chemotherapy. Although milk thistle has not significantly altered the course of
chronic liver disease, it has reduced liver enzyme levels and demonstrated anti-inflammatory
and T cell-modulating effects. There is strong preclinical evidence for silymarin's
hepatoprotective and anticarcinogenic effects, including inhibition of cancer
cell growth in human prostate, skin, breast, and cervical cells. Milk thistle
is considered safe and well-tolerated, with gastrointestinal upset, a mild laxative
effect, and rare allergic reaction being the only adverse events reported when
taken within the recommended dose range. More clinical trials of rigorous methodology,
using standardized and well-defined products and dosages, are needed to evaluate
the potential of silymarin against liver toxicity, chronic liver disease, and
human cancers.
Clinical applications of Silybum marianum in oncology. [Integr Cancer Ther. 2007]
PMID: 17548789 DOI: 10.1177/1534735407301632 Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):104-9.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): A concise overview on its chemistry,
pharmacological, and nutraceutical uses in liver diseases.
Abenavoli L, Izzo AA, Milic N, Cicala C, Santini A, Capasso R. Abstract
Milk thistle (MT; Silybum marianum), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a therapeutic
herb with a 2,000-year history of use. MT fruits contain a mixture of flavonolignans
collectively known as silymarin, being silybin (also named silibinin) the main
component. This article reviews the chemistry of MT, the pharmacokinetics and
bioavailability, the pharmacologically relevant actions for liver diseases (e.g.,
anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antifibrotic, antioxidant, and liver-regenerating
properties) as well as the clinical potential in patients with alcoholic liver
disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver
injury, and mushroom poisoning. Overall, literature data suggest that, despite
encouraging preclinical data, further well-designed randomized clinical trials
are needed to fully substantiate the real value of MT preparations in liver diseases.
PMID: 30080294 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6171 Phytother Res. 2018 Nov;32(11):2202-2213.
doi: 10.1002/ptr.6171. Epub 2018 Aug 6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin
Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Ángel Morales-González,
Jaime Esquivel-Soto, Cesar Esquivel-Chirino, Manuel García-Luna y González-Rubio,
Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio, and José A Morales-González Abstract
The use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses has been reported since ancestral
times. In the case of hepatic diseases, several species such as Silybum marianum,
Phyllanthus niruri, and Panus giganteus (Berk.) have been shown to ameliorate
hepatic lesions. Silymarin is a natural compound derived from the species Silybum
marianum, which is commonly known as Milk thistle. This plant contains at least
seven flavoligands and the flavonoid taxifolin. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant
activity of silymarin is caused by its ability to inhibit the free radicals that
are produced from the metabolism of toxic substances such as ethanol, acetaminophen,
and carbon tetrachloride. The generation of free radicals is known to damage cellular
membranes and cause lipoperoxidation. Silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione and
may contribute to the antioxidant defense of the liver. It has also been shown
that silymarin increases protein synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating RNA polymerase
I activity. A previous study on humans reported that silymarin treatment caused
a slight increase in the survival of patients with cirrhotic alcoholism compared
with untreated controls.
Core tip: One of the mechanisms of liver damage caused by alcohol is the generation
of free radicals formed by the metabolism of this xenobiotic. Silymarin is an
antioxidant that protects the liver from the free radical damage produced by alcohol
metabolism. Silymarin is the most used natural compound for the treatment of hepatic
diseases worldwide due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic
activities. Silymarin functions by stabilizing biological membranes and increasing
protein synthesis.
World J Hepatol. 2014 Mar 27; 6(3): 144–149.
Published online 2014 Mar 27. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i3.144
PMCID: PMC3959115
PMID: 24672644 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and its main constituent, silymarin, as
a potential therapeutic plant in metabolic syndrome: A review.
Tajmohammadi A, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Abstract
Metabolic syndrome describes a complex metabolic risk factors including obesity,
hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. This syndrome is diagnosed by medical
conditions such as weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and disturbance
in lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome has become as an important and increasing
global health problem, so finding potentially novel solutions with less adverse
effects is favorable for health problems. Herbal therapy plays an important role
for treatment of different diseases. Silybum marianum is a plant that is used
for centuries as a herbal treatment in liver and biliary tract diseases. Silymarin
is the main component of S. marianum and derived from fruits and seeds of S. marianum
(milk thistle). S. marianum has been found to exhibit antioxidant, lipid-lowering,
antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective
effects. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize different animal and
human studies regarding the effect of S. marianum in metabolic syndrome and to
identify the underlying mechanisms of action.
PMID: 30015401 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6153
Phytother Res. 2018 Oct;32(10):1933-1949. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6153. Epub 2018 Jul
17. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Silybum marianum provides cardioprotection and limits adverse remodeling
post-myocardial infarction by mitigating oxidative stress and reactive fibrosis.
Vilahur G, Casaní L, Peña E, Crespo J, Juan-Babot O, Ben-Aicha S,
Mendieta G, Béjar MT, Borrell M, Badimon L. Abstract
AIMS:
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum; SM) is an herb commonly used for hepatoprotection
with antioxidant and antifibrotic properties. We investigated in pigs the cardiac
effects of SM intake during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) and
remodeling period post-MI.
METHODS:
Study-1 tested the effect of SM use on the acute phase of MI. Hence, animals were
distributed to a control group or to receive SM prior infarction (1.5?h ischemia).
Animals were sacrificed after 2.5?h of reperfusion. Study-2 tested the effect
of SM use in the cardiac remodeling phase. Accordingly, animals received for 10?d
diet?±?SM prior MI and followed the same regime for 3?weeks and then sacrificed.
Study-3 tested the effect of SM in a non-infarcted heart; therefore, animals received
for 10?d diet?±?SM and then sacrificed.
RESULTS:
Animals taking SM before MI showed a reduction in cardiac damage (decreased oxidative
damage, ROS production and xanthine oxidase levels; preserved mitochondrial function;
and increased myocardial salvage; p?<?0.05) versus controls. Animals that remained
on chronic SM intake post-MI improved left ventricular remodeling. This was associated
with the attenuation of the TGFß1/TßRs/SMAD2/3 signaling, lower myofibroblast
transdifferentiation and collagen content in the border zone (p?<?0.05 vs.
all other groups). Cardiac contractility improved in animals taking SM (p?<?0.05
vs. post-MI-control). No changes in cardiac function or fibrosis were detected
in animals on SM but without MI.
CONCLUSION:
Intake of SM protects the heart against the deleterious effects of an MI and favors
cardiac healing. These benefits may be attributed to the antioxidant and antifibrotic
properties of SM.
Int J Cardiol. 2018 Nov 1;270:28-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.030. Epub 2018
Jun 11. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Silymarin, the antioxidant component and Silybum marianum extracts prevent
liver damage.
Shaker E, Mahmoud H, Mnaa S. Abstract
Liver disorders are one of the common recent problems affects on the human health.
These disorders due to many environmental polluted sources. Many herbal, medicinal
and pharmaceutical plants and their extracts are widely studied by many researchers.
Silybum marianum got a bright reputation in relieve the liver diseases, and that
might be for the potent silymarin mixture. Mechanism of action for silymarin conducted
mainly to the antiradical and anticarcinogenic roles. Ethyl acetate (100mg/kg
bw) and ethanol seed extracts for S. marianum (100mg/kg bw) were tested against
the injection (i.p.) by carbon tetrachloride (2 ml/kg bw) the inducer of liver
damage. Their activity were compared with standard hepatic drug hepaticum (100mg/kg
bw) for 10 days. Ethanolic extract showed the most significantly decrease in the
liver enzymes. For the oxidative experiments, ethyl acetate showed the most increase
for glutathione level and the risk factor HDL/LDL significantly. Hepaticum was
the most powerful group for the significant decreasing for malondialdehyde and
fucosidase activity. Some equal improvements were noticed in the histopathological
studies for the protective groups.
PMID: 20034535 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.12.011 Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Mar;48(3):803-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.12.011. Epub 2009 Dec 23.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Effects of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on Human Cytochrome P450
Activity
Marina Kawaguchi-Suzuki, Reginald F. Frye, Hao-Jie Zhu, Bryan J. Brinda, Kenneth
D. Chavin, Hilary J. Bernstein, and John S. Markowitzcorresponding author Abstract
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extracts are widely used as a complementary and
alternative treatment of various hepatic conditions and a host of other diseases/disorders.
The active constituents of milk thistle supplements are believed to be the flavonolignans
contained within the extracts. In vitro studies have suggested that some milk
thistle components may significantly inhibit specific cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes.
However, determining the potential for clinically significant drug interactions
with milk thistle products has been complicated by inconsistencies between in
vitro and in vivo study results. The aim of the present study was to determine
the effect of a standardized milk thistle supplement on major P450 drug-metabolizing
enzymes after a 14-day exposure period. CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4/5 activities
were measured by simultaneously administering the four probe drugs, caffeine,
tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, and midazolam, to nine healthy volunteers before
and after exposure to a standardized milk thistle extract given thrice daily for
14 days. The three most abundant falvonolignans found in plasma, following exposure
to milk thistle extracts, were silybin A, silybin B, and isosilybin B. The concentrations
of these three major constituents were individually measured in study subjects
as potential perpetrators. The peak concentrations and areas under the time-concentration
curves of the four probe drugs were determined with the milk thistle administration.
Exposure to milk thistle extract produced no significant influence on CYP1A2,
CYP2C9, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4/5 activities.
Drug Metab Dispos. 2014 Oct; 42(10): 1611–1616.
Published online 2014 Oct. doi: 10.1124/dmd.114.057232
PMCID: PMC4164972 PMID: 25028567 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Silybum
marianum.
St Mary's thistle,
Milk thistle, Marian thistle
Family: Asteraceae
