Milk Thistle- the "Liver Tonic"
What is Milk Thistle?
The milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It’s called "milk thistle" because the leaves are mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap.
The seeds of the milk thistle have been used for 2000 years to treat chronic liver disease and protect the liver against toxins.Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle.
The milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It’s called "milk thistle" because the leaves are mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap.
The seeds of the milk thistle have been used for 2000 years to treat chronic liver disease and protect the liver against toxins.Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle.
Ingredients of Milk Thistle
Traditional milk thistle extract is made from the seeds. The extract
consists of about 65-80% silymarin and 20-35% fatty acids, including linoleic
acid. Silymarin – the active ingredient in milk thistle - is a flavonolignan complex, a mixture of
polyphenolic molecules, including seven closely related flavonolignans - silybin
A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, isosilychristin,
silydianin and one flavonoid - taxifolin.
Research (in vitro and animal) suggests that Silymarin has anti-hepatotoxic properties that protect liver cells against toxins. Silymarin has also demonstrated anti-cancer effects against human prostate carcinoma cells, breast carcinoma cells, human cervical carcinoma cells, human colon cancer cells, and lung carcinoma cells.
Research (in vitro and animal) suggests that Silymarin has anti-hepatotoxic properties that protect liver cells against toxins. Silymarin has also demonstrated anti-cancer effects against human prostate carcinoma cells, breast carcinoma cells, human cervical carcinoma cells, human colon cancer cells, and lung carcinoma cells.
What are the benefits?
Milk thistle extract has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver and gall bladder problems.
- Lowering cholesterol levels
- Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
- Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.
- Reduce the effects of a hangover
Precautions
Milk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Side effects are usually mild and may involve stomach upset and diarrhea. Some people may get a rash from touching milk thistle plants.
Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast and uterine cancer and prostate cancer.
If you are currently being treated with any medications, you should not use milk thistle without first talking to your health care provider.
Reference
Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. Anticancer Res. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6B):4457-98. Review.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Milk thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects. Summary, evidence report/technology assessment: number 21, September 2000.
Asghar Z, Masood Z. Evaluation of antioxidant properties of silymarin and its potential to inhibit peroxyl radicals in vitro. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008 Jul;21(3):249-54.
Barve A, Khan R, Marsano L, Ravindra KV, McClain C. Treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Ann Hepatol. 2008 Jan-Mar;7(1):5-15. Review.
Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:257-263.
Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, Rutter K, Beinhardt S, Hofer H, et al. Silibinin is a potent antiviral agent in patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy. Gastroenterology. 2008 Nov;135(5):1561-7.
Gazak R, Walterova D, Kren V. Silybin and silymarin -- new and emerging applications in medicine. Curr Med Chem. 2007;14(3):315-38. Review.
Giese LA. A study of alternative health care use for gastrointestinal disorders. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2000;23(1):19-27.
Gordon A, Hobbs DA, Bowden DS, Bailey MJ, Mitchell J, Francis AJ, Roberts SK. Effects of Silybum marianum on serum hepatitis C virus RNA, alanine aminotransferase levels and well-being in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Jan;21(1 Pt 2):275-80.
Hoh C, Boocock D, Marczylo T, Singh R, Berry DP, Dennison AR, et al. Pilot study of oral silibinin, a putative chemopreventive agent, in colorectal cancer patients: silibinin levels in plasma, colorectum, and liver and their pharmacodynamic consequences. Clin Cancer Res. 2006 May 1;12(9):2944-50.
Jiang C, Agarwal R, Lu J. Anti-angiogenic potential of a cancer chemopreventive flavonoid antioxidant, Silymairn: inhibition of key attributes of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenic cytokine secretion by cancer epithelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000;276:371-378.
Köksal E, Gülçin I, Beyza S, Sarikaya O, Bursal E. In vitro antioxidant activity of silymarin. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2009 Apr;24(2):395-405.
Low Dog T. Traditional and alternative therapies for breast cancer. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):36-47.
Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2005 Nov;12(6):559-67. Review.
Najm W, Lie D. Dietary supplements commonly used for prevention. Prim Care. 2008 Dec;35(4):749-67.
Rainone F. Milk thistle. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 1;72(7):1285-8. Review.
Ramasamy K, Agarwal R. Multitargeted therapy of cancer by silymarin. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8;269(2):352-62. Review.
Rambaldi A, Jacobs BP, Iaquinto G, Gluud C. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases – a systematic cochrane hepato-biliary group review with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Nov;100(11):2583-91. Review.
Rotblatt M, Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc; 2002:266-271.
Saller R, Brignoli R, Melzer J, Meier R. An updated systematic review with meta-analysis for the clinical evidence of silymarin. Forsch Komplementmed. 2008 Feb;15(1):9-20. Review.
Zielinska-Przyjemska M, Wiktorowicz K. An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):115-9
Milk thistle extract has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver and gall bladder problems.
- Liver protection and repair- Scientific studies show that
milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with
cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. Several scientific studies suggest that silymarin
in milk thistle protects and repairs the liver from toxins, including certain
drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high
doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may
help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. In a 2009 study published in the journal Cancer, milk thistle showed
promise in reducing the liver damaging effects of chemotherapy in a study of 50
children.
- Antidote for mushroom poisoning - Milk
thistle has been used as an emergency antidote to poisoning by death cap
mushroom (Amanita phalloides).The data indicates that severe liver damage in Amanita phalloides
poisoning can be prevented effectively when administration of silybin begins
within 48 hours of mushroom intake. In a recent 2007 event, a family of six was
treated with milk thistle and a combination of other treatments to save them
from ingested poisonous mushrooms and five of the six made a full recovery.
- Increases the production of Glutathione - Glutathione is an antioxidant which is synthesized in the body, preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals and peroxides. Research shows that taking silymarin daily increases the levels of the glutathione in the body.
- More Benefits
- Lowering cholesterol levels
- Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
- Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.
- Reduce the effects of a hangover
Precautions
Milk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Side effects are usually mild and may involve stomach upset and diarrhea. Some people may get a rash from touching milk thistle plants.
Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast and uterine cancer and prostate cancer.
If you are currently being treated with any medications, you should not use milk thistle without first talking to your health care provider.
Reference
Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. Anticancer Res. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6B):4457-98. Review.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Milk thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects. Summary, evidence report/technology assessment: number 21, September 2000.
Asghar Z, Masood Z. Evaluation of antioxidant properties of silymarin and its potential to inhibit peroxyl radicals in vitro. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008 Jul;21(3):249-54.
Barve A, Khan R, Marsano L, Ravindra KV, McClain C. Treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Ann Hepatol. 2008 Jan-Mar;7(1):5-15. Review.
Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:257-263.
Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, Rutter K, Beinhardt S, Hofer H, et al. Silibinin is a potent antiviral agent in patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy. Gastroenterology. 2008 Nov;135(5):1561-7.
Gazak R, Walterova D, Kren V. Silybin and silymarin -- new and emerging applications in medicine. Curr Med Chem. 2007;14(3):315-38. Review.
Giese LA. A study of alternative health care use for gastrointestinal disorders. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2000;23(1):19-27.
Gordon A, Hobbs DA, Bowden DS, Bailey MJ, Mitchell J, Francis AJ, Roberts SK. Effects of Silybum marianum on serum hepatitis C virus RNA, alanine aminotransferase levels and well-being in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Jan;21(1 Pt 2):275-80.
Hoh C, Boocock D, Marczylo T, Singh R, Berry DP, Dennison AR, et al. Pilot study of oral silibinin, a putative chemopreventive agent, in colorectal cancer patients: silibinin levels in plasma, colorectum, and liver and their pharmacodynamic consequences. Clin Cancer Res. 2006 May 1;12(9):2944-50.
Jiang C, Agarwal R, Lu J. Anti-angiogenic potential of a cancer chemopreventive flavonoid antioxidant, Silymairn: inhibition of key attributes of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenic cytokine secretion by cancer epithelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000;276:371-378.
Köksal E, Gülçin I, Beyza S, Sarikaya O, Bursal E. In vitro antioxidant activity of silymarin. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2009 Apr;24(2):395-405.
Low Dog T. Traditional and alternative therapies for breast cancer. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):36-47.
Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2005 Nov;12(6):559-67. Review.
Najm W, Lie D. Dietary supplements commonly used for prevention. Prim Care. 2008 Dec;35(4):749-67.
Rainone F. Milk thistle. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 1;72(7):1285-8. Review.
Ramasamy K, Agarwal R. Multitargeted therapy of cancer by silymarin. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8;269(2):352-62. Review.
Rambaldi A, Jacobs BP, Iaquinto G, Gluud C. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases – a systematic cochrane hepato-biliary group review with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Nov;100(11):2583-91. Review.
Rotblatt M, Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc; 2002:266-271.
Saller R, Brignoli R, Melzer J, Meier R. An updated systematic review with meta-analysis for the clinical evidence of silymarin. Forsch Komplementmed. 2008 Feb;15(1):9-20. Review.
Zielinska-Przyjemska M, Wiktorowicz K. An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):115-9