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Milk Thistle
(Silybum marianum)
Liver Protection/Function
The milk thistle plant contains some of the most potent liver protective substances known, a mixture of three flavanoids collectively referred to as silymarin. (1) The concentration of silymarin is highest in the fruit, but it is also found in the seeds and leaves. Silymarin's effect in preventing liver destruction and enhancing liver function relates largely to its ability to inhibit free radicals and leukotrienes, as well as its' ability to stimulate liver regeneration. (2) Experimental liver damage in animals can be produced by such diverse toxic chemicals as carbon tetrachloride, amanita toxin, galactosamine and praseodymium nitrate. Silymarin has been shown to protect against liver damage by all of these agents. (3) Another way in which the liver can be damaged is by the action of leukotrienes, potent inflammatory cytokines. Silybum inhibits the enzyme lipoxygenase, thereby inhibiting inflammation in the liver. Milk thistle therefore has demonstrated both a protective and restorative effect on the liver.
In human clinical trials, milk thistle has been shown to have positive effects in treating liver diseases of various kinds, including alcoholic cirrhosis (4), chronic hepatitis (5), fatty infiltration of the liver and inflammation of the bile duct. (6) The therapeutic effect of silymarin in all of these disorders has been confirmed by histological (biopsy), clinical, and laboratory data. Silymarin is also effective in the treatment and prevention of industrial toxic chemical exposures which result in liver damage. (7)
References- milk thistle
1. Wagner, H., "Plant constituents with antihepatotoxic activity", in Beal, J.L. and Reinhard, E. (eds) Natural Products as Medicinal Agents, Hippokrates-Verlang, Stuttgart, 1981
2. Hikino, H. Kiso, Y., Wagner, H. and Fiegig, M., "Antihepatotoxic actions of flavonolignans from Silybum marianum fruits", Planta Medica, 1984, 50, pp 248-50
3. Vogel, G., Trost, W., Braatz, R., et al., "Studies on pharmacodynamics, site and mechanism of action of silymarin the antihpatotoxic principle from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert"., Arzneim-Forsch, 1975, 25, pp 179-85
4. Canini, F., Bartolucci, A., Cristallini, E., et al., "Use of silymarin in the treatment of alcoholic hepatic stenosis", Clin. Ther., 1985, 114, pp 307-14
5. Sarre, H., "Experience in the treatment of chronic hepatopathies with silymarin", Arzneim-Forsch, 1971, 21, pp 1,209-12
6. Salmi, H.A., and Sarna, S., "Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alteration of the liver. A double-blind controlled study" Scand.J.Gastroenterol., 1982, 17, pp 417-21
7. Boari, C., Montanari, M., Galleti, G.P., et al., "Occupational toxic liver diseases. Therapeutic effects of silymarin", Min.Med., 1985, 72, pp 2,679-88.