Milk Thistle Benefits and Side Effects

REFERENCES
[1]Siddiqui U Prevalence and predictors of herbal medication use in veterans with chronic hepatitis C. J Clin
Gastroenterol. 2004 Aug;38(7):605-10. [2] Wallace SN Extraction of nutraceuticals from milk thistle: part II.
Extraction with organic solvents. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2003 Spring;105 -108:891-903. [3] Wallace SN
Batch solvent extraction of flavanolignans from milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertner). Phytochem Anal.
2005 Jan-Feb;16(1):7-16. [4]Duan L Silymarin extraction from milk thistle using hot water. Appl Biochem
Biotechnol. 2004 Spring;113-116:559-68.[5] Lee DY, Molecular structure and stereochemistry of silybin A, silybin
B, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B, Isolated from Silybum marianum (milk thistle). J Nat Prod. 2003
Dec;66(12):1632. [6] Kim NC Complete isolation and characterization of silybins and isosilybins from milk thistle
(Silybum marianum). Org Biomol Chem. 2003 May 21;1(10):1684-9.[7] Manna SK Silymarin [MILK THISTLE]
suppresses TNF-induced activation of NF-kappa B, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and apoptosis. J Immunol. 1999 Dec
15;163(12):6800-9. [8] Lee DG et al Gram-positive bacteria specific properties of silybin derived from Silybum
marianum [Milk Thistle]. Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Aug;26(8):597-600.[9] Soliman KF In vitro attenuation of nitric
oxide production in C6 astrocyte cell culture by various dietary compounds. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998
Sep;218(4):390-7.[10] Bialecka M. The effect of bioflavonoids and lecithin on the course of experimental
atherosclerosis in rabbits Ann Acad Med Stetin. 1997;43:41-56. [11]Zi X, Novel cancer chemopreventive effects
of a flavonoid antioxidant silymarin [MILK THISTLE]: inhibition of mRNA expression of an endogenous tumor
promoter TNF alpha. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997 Oct 9;239(1):334-9.[12]Tyagi A Silibinin causes cell
cycle arrest and apoptosis in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells by regulating CDKI-CDK-cyclin
cascade, and caspase 3 and PARP cleavages. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Sep;25(9):1711-20. Epub 2004 Apr *milk
thistle [13]Tyagi AK Silibinin down-regulates survivin protein and mRNA expression and causes caspases
activation and apoptosis in human bladder transitional-cell papilloma RT4 cells. Biochem Biophys Res
Commun. 2003 Dec 26;312(4):1178-84.[14] Vinh PQ et al Chemopreventive effects of a flavonoid antioxidant
silymarin [MILK THISTLE] on N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced urinary bladder carcinogenesis in
male ICR mice. Jpn J Cancer Res. 2002 Jan;93(1):42-9. [15]Tyagi AK Synergistic anti-cancer effects of silibinin
[milk thistle extract] with conventional cytotoxic agents doxorubicin, cisplatin and carboplatin against human
breast carcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB468 cells. Oncol Rep. 2004 Feb;11(2):493-9.Zi X. Anticarcinogenic effect
of a flavonoid antioxidant, silymarin [milk thistle], in human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 468: induction of G1
arrest through an increase in Cip1/p21 concomitant with a decrease in kinase activity of cyclin-dependent
kinases and associated cyclins. Clin Cancer Res. 1998 Apr;4(4):1055-64.[17] Kohno H et al, Silymarin [MILK
THISTLE], a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid, inhibits azoxymethane-induced colon
carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Int J Cancer. 2002 Oct 10;101(5):461-8.[18] Yoo HG Involvement of
NF-kappaB and caspases in silibinin-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. Int J Mol Med. 2004
Jan;13(1):81-6.[19] Qi L, Epidermal growth factor receptor mediates silibinin [milk thistle]-induced cytotoxicity in
a rat glioma cell line. Cancer Biol Ther. 2003 Sep-Oct;2(5):526-31.[20] Chu SC Silibinin inhibits the invasion of
human lung cancer cells via decreased productions of urokinase-plasminogen activator and matrix
metalloproteinase-2. Mol Carcinog. 2004 Jul;40(3):143-9.[21] Ladas EJ Milk thistle: is there a role for its use as an
adjunct therapy in patients with cancer? J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Jun;9(3):411-6.[22] [Davis-Searles PR,
Milk thistle and prostate cancer: differential effects of pure flavonolignans from Silybum marianum [MILK
THISTLE] on antiproliferative end points in human prostate carcinoma cells. Cancer Res. 2005 May
15;65(10):4448-57] [23] Singh RP A cancer chemopreventive agent silibinin [MILK THISTLE], targets mitogenic
and survival signaling in prostate cancer. Mutat Res. 2004 Nov 2;555(1-2):21-32.[23] Thelen P Silibinin
down-regulates prostate epithelium-derived Ets transcription factor in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Planta Med.
2004 May;70(5):397-400.[24] Inhibition of telomerase activity and secretion of prostate specific antigen by
silibinin [milk thistle] in prostate cancer cells. J Urol. 2004 May;171(5):1934-8. [25] Prostate cancer prevention by
silibinin [milk thistle]. Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2004 Feb;4(1):1-11 [26] A flavonoid antioxidant, silymarin [milk
thistle], inhibits activation of erbB1 signaling and induces cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, G1 arrest, and
anticarcinogenic effects in human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells. Cancer Res. 1998 May 1;58(9):1920-9. 27
Silibinin [Milk Thistle] decreases prostate-specific antigen with cell growth inhibition via G1 arrest, leading to
differentiation of prostate carcinoma cells: implications for prostate cancer intervention. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S
A. 1999 Jun 22;96(13):7490-5. 28 Dhanalakshmi S Silibinin [MILK THISTLE] sensitizes human prostate
carcinoma DU145 cells to cisplatin- and carboplatin-induced growth inhibition and apoptotic death. Int J
Cancer. 2003 Sep 20;106(5):699-705. 29 Zi X Silibinin [MILK THISTLE] up-regulates insulin-like growth
factor-binding protein 3 expression and inhibits proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells
Cancer Res. 2000 Oct 15;60(20):5617-20. [30] Singh RP Dietary feeding of [MILK THISTLE] silibinin inhibits
advance human prostate carcinoma growth in athymic mice and increases plasma insulin-like growth
factor-binding protein-3 levels. Cancer Res. 2002 Jun 1;62(11):3063-9. [31]Tyagi A et al, Silibinin [MILK
THISTLE] strongly synergizes human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells to doxorubicin-induced growth Inhibition,
G2-M arrest, and apoptosis. Clin Cancer Res. 2002 Nov;8(11):3512-9. [32] Tyagi A Antiproliferative and apoptotic
effects of silibinin [MILK THISTLE] in rat prostate cancer cells. Prostate. 2002 Nov 1;53(3):211-7.[33]Katiyar SK
et al, Protective effects of silymarin [milk thistle] against photocarcinogenesis in a mouse skin model. J Natl
Cancer Inst. 1997 Apr 16;89(8):556-66][34] Katiyar SK. Silymarin [milk thistle] and skin cancer prevention:
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects (Review). Int J Oncol. 2005 Jan;26(1):169-76.[35]
Silibinin prevents ultraviolet radiation-caused skin damages in SKH-1 hairless mice via a decrease in thymine
dimer positive cells and an up-regulation of p53-p21/Cip1 in epidermis. Carcinogenesis. 2004
Aug;25(8):1459-65. Epub 2004 Mar 19. [36]A flavonoid antioxidant, silymarin [milk thistle], affords exceptionally
high protection against tumor promotion in the SENCAR mouse skin tumorigenesis model. Cancer Res. 1999 Feb
1;59(3):622-32[36] Yanaida Y et al Dietary silymarin [MILK THISTLE] suppresses 4-nitroquinoline
1-oxide-induced tongue carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Carcinogenesis. 2002 May;23(5):787-94.[37]Silymarin
[Milk thistle]: potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1985
Aug;7(8):409-13.][38]Crocenzi FA et al, Silibinin [Milk thistle] prevents cholestasis-associated retrieval of the bile
salt export pump, Bsep, in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets: possible involvement of cAMP. Biochem Pharmacol.
2005 Apr 1;69(7):1113-20.]
[39] von Schonfeld J Silibinin [Milk thistle], a plant extract with antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties,
protects exocrine pancreas from cyclosporin A toxicity. Cell Mol Life Sci. 1997 Dec;53(11-12):917-20.] [40]
Maghrani M Study of the hypoglycaemic activity of Fraxinus excelsior and Silybum marianum [Milk thistle] in an
animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):309-16. [41] Chlopcikova S
Chemoprotective effect of plant phenolics against anthracycline-induced toxicity on rat cardiomyocytes. Part I.
Silymarin [Milk thistle] and its flavonolignans. Phytother Res. 2004 Feb;18(2):107-10. [42] Katiyar SK. Treatment
of silymarin [MILK THISTLE], a plant flavonoid, prevents ultraviolet light-induced immune suppression and
oxidative stress in mouse skin. Int J Oncol. 2002 Dec;21(6):1213-22. [43]Wilasrusmee C et al, Immunostimulatory
effect of Silybum Marianum (milk thistle) extract. Med Sci Monit. 2002 Nov;8(11):BR439-43.[44] Ferenci P et al,
Randomized controlled trial of silymarin [Milk thistle] treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol.
1989 Jul;9(1):105-13. [45] Arteel G Advances in alcoholic liver disease. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003
Aug;17(4):625-47.[46] Lieber CS Silymarin [Milk thistle] retards the progression of alcohol-induced hepatic
fibrosis in baboons. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Oct;37(4):336-9.[47]. Dehmlow C. Inhibition of Kupffer cell
functions as an explanation for the hepatoprotective properties of silibinin. Hepatology. 1996 Apr; 23 (4): 749-54.
[48]. Wu DF The effects of silymarin [Milk thistle] on hepatic microsomal and mitochondrial membrane fluidity in
mice. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 Sep;28(9):870-2. [49] Tanamly MD et al, Randomised double-blinded
trial evaluating silymarin [Milk thistle] for chronic hepatitis C in an Egyptian village: study description and
12-month results. Dig Liver Dis. 2004 Nov;36(11):752-9. [50]Tedesco D Silymarin, a possible hepatoprotector in
dairy cows: biochemical and histological observations. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004
Mar;51(2):85-9.[51] Wang MJ Silymarin [MILK THISTLE] protects dopaminergic neurons against
lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting microglia activation. Eur J Neurosci. 2002
Dec;16(11):2103-12 [52] Kittur S et al, Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of milk thistle (Silybum
marianum) on neurons in culture. J Mol Neurosci. 2002 Jun;18(3):265-9.
[53] Hu Z, Herb-drug interactions: a literature review. Drugs. 2005;65(9):1239-82.][54]DiCenzo R Coadministration
of milk thistle and indinavir in healthy subjects. Pharmacotherapy. 2003 Jul;23(7):866-70.[55] Giese LA. Milk
thistle and the treatment of hepatitis. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2001 Mar-Apr;24(2):95-7. [56] Saller R et al, The use of
silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63.[57] Ferenci P. et al, Randomized
controlled trial of silymarin (milk thistle) treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol. 1989
Jul;9(1):105-13. [58]Silymarin inhibits T-lymphocyte function at low doses but stimulates inflammatory processes
at high doses. Planta Med. 2003 Jan;69(1):44-9.[59] Jacobs BP, Milk thistle for the treatment of liver disease: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2002 Oct 15;113(6):506-15.[60] Rambaldi A. et al, Milk thistle
for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C virus liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr
18;(2):CD003620.][61] Physiological responses of a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c
mice: III. Silymarin inhibits T-lymphocyte function at low doses but stimulates inflammatory processes at high
doses. Planta Med. 2003 Jan;69(1):44-9.

What are the health benefits of milk thistle?
Milk thistle has been used for centuries for the treatment of liver disease. Milk thistle appears
to be safe and have multiple health benefits on various liver conditions; the available evidence
on the mechanisms of action appears promising [1]. Traditionally, milk thistle is commonly
used for liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, liver poisoning, and viral
hepatitis.

What ingredients in milk thistle contribute to its beneficial effects?
Milk thistle extracts are standardized to a concentration of 70-80% of flavone lignans including
isosilybinin, silybinin, silychristin, and silydianin, which are collectively called silymarin.
Silymarin may play a role in displacing toxins binding to the liver and causing the liver cells to
regenerate at a faster rate.

Milk thistle is a flowering herb. Silymarin can be extracted from the seeds (fruit). The seeds are
used to prepare capsules containing powdered herb or seed; extracts; and infusions (strong
teas). [NCCAM]

How do suppliers talk about milk thistle?
Milk Thistle has been marketed as a herbal supplement having a protecting benefits on the
liver, they claim milk thistle can even regenerate the liver cells in most liver diseases such as
cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), jaundice and hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cholangitis
(inflammation of bile ducts resulting in decreased bile flow). Milk Thistle is also marketed as a
preventative medicine to protect each cell of the liver from incoming toxins and encourage the
liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, drugs, medications, mercury
and heavy metals. Milk thistle is also promoted as an agent which can cleanse and detoxify
overburdened and stagnant livers, strengthen and tonify weak livers.

Milk thistle is also suggested to be used as a gentle and mild laxative, as it may be able to
increase bile secretion and flow in the intestinal tract. This herb is also claimed to be able to
lubricate and soften the stools to a mild laxative effect- a balance between constipation and
diarrhea. However, scientific supports to these claims are limited. In the following section, we
review what scientists found about milk thistle - benefits and side effects.

MILK THISTLE EXTRACT HEALTH BENEFITS; REARCH FINDS
Milk thistle silymarin has anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects. These
effects are probably related to inhibition of activation of NF-kappa B and the kinases. [7]

ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES Milk thistle silybin inhibited RNA and protein synthesis on
gram-positive bacteria. [8]

ANTI-OXIDANT Milk thistle, silymarin, reduced NO production at less than 300 ppm. [9]

ARTHEROSCLEROSIS Milk thistle and lecithin have found to have anti-atherosclerotic activity in
rabbits. Milk thistle-phospholipid complex showed a strong anti-atherosclerotic activity. [10]

CANCER Milk thistle silymarin exerts chemopreventive effects against tumorigenicity by
inhibiting endogenous tumor promoter TNF alpha. [11] Milk thistle silibinin and milk thistle
silymarin, have shown the anticancer effects in different cancer cells in multiple studies:

BLADDER Milk thistle silibinin modulates cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors -
cyclin-dependent kinases -cyclin cascade and activates caspase 3 causing growth inhibition
and apoptotic death of human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells. [12] In another study,
milk thistle silibinin decreased survivin levels and caspases-PARP cleavages, in accord with a
strong apoptotic death and growth inhibition of Human bladder transitional-cell papilloma
cells. [13] And, milk thistle silymarin was found to be effective in preventing OH-BBN-induced
bladder carcinogenesis in mice. [14]

BREAST An in vitro study has suggested a possible synergism between milk thistle silibinin
and conventional cytotoxic agents for breast cancer treatment. [15] Milk thistle extract may exert
a strong anticarcinogenic effect against breast cancer involving inhibition the threshold kinase
activities of cyclin-dependent kinases and associated cyclins, leading to a G1 arrest in cell
cycle progression. [16].

COLON Study showed a chemopreventive ability of milk thistle silymarin against chemically
induced colon tumorigenesis.[17]

ENDOTHELIAL CELLS Milk thistle silibinin may exert, at least partly, its anti-cancer effect by
inhibiting angiogenesis through induction of endothelial apoptosis via modulation of
NF-kappaB, Bcl-2 family and caspases. [18] Milk thistle silibinin toxicity to cancer cells is found
to involve the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. [19]

LUNG Milk thistle containing Silibinin exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the
invasion and motility of human lung cancer cells.[20]

LIVER Milk thistle may be useful in the prevention or treatment of liver dysfunction in patients
undergoing anticancer therapy.[21]

PROSTATE In prostate cancer, milk thistle silibinin exerts its anti-cancer effect probably via
epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor receptor type I and nuclear factor
kappa B signaling [23] Milk thistle extracts possess anticancer activities on human prostate
carcinoma. Isosilybin A and B might be the most effective suppressors of prostate-specific
antigen secretion by androgen-dependent LNCaP cells. Researchers suggested that milk
thistle extracts enriched for isosilybin A or B might possess improved potency in prostate
cancer prevention and treatment. [22] Finally, milk thistle silibinin was found to able to down
regulate 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, thus, milk thistle may be beneficial to prostate health.
[23] There are eight more studies showing milk thistle benefits on prostate [24-32].

SKIN In studies of rats, milk thistle extracts provided substantial protection against different
stages of UVB-induced carcinogenesis, possibly via its strong antioxidant properties. [33] In
another study, topical treatment of milk thistle silymarin inhibited
7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-initiated and several tumor promoters in mouse models. [34]
There are two more studies showing the anti-tumor activities of milk thistle extracts on skin
cancer: [35]

TONGUE Feeding of milk thistle silymarin (500 p.p.m.) during the promotion phase of
4-NQO-induced rat tumorigenesis exerts chemopreventive ability against tongue squamous
cell carcinoma through modification of phase II enzymes activity, cell proliferation, and/or
PGE(2) content. [36]

CHOLESTASIS Milk thistle prevents cholestasis induced by estrogens and taurolithocholate
via inhibiting cAMP-phosphodiesterase. [38] In 1985, Koch HP reported that milk thistle was a
very potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Milk thistle's constituents, silybin,
silydianin and silychristin, are 12.66 to 52.06 times more active than theophylline. [37]

DIABETES Milk thistle extracts may be useful in treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus, as silibinin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin release in vitro, while not affecting
blood glucose concentration in vivo. [39]Aqueous extracts of milk thistle exhibit potent
hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats
without affecting insulin secretion. [40]

HEART Milk thistle extract, silymarin, protects cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced
oxidative stress via cell membrane stabilization effect, radical scavenging and iron chelating
potency. {41]

IMMUNE MODULATION
A study of mice showed milk thistle silymarin could prevent UVB-induced
immuno-suppression and oxidative stress probably by inhibiting the infiltration of leukocytes,
and myeloperoxidase activity. [42]

A study demonstrated that milk thistle was immunostimulatory in vitro. Milk thistle increased
lymphocyte proliferation in both mitogen and MLC assays. These effects of Milk Thistle were
associated with an increase in interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 cytokines in the
MLC (table). This immunostimulatory effect increased in response to increasing doses of Milk
Thistle. [43]

LIVER
CIRRHOSIS A double blind study of 170 patients with cirrhosis demonstrated that silymarin
(milk thistle extract) treatment was effective in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. [44] A study
has suggested that milk thistle and S-adenosylmethionine may be effective in alcoholic
cirrhosis. [45]

FIBROSIS Milk thistle silymarin retarded the development of alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis
in 12 baboons, consistent with several positive clinical trials. [46]

INJURY The hepatoprotective properties of milk thistle extracts in acute and chronic liver injury
is probably related to inhibition of leukotriene B (4) formation by silibinin [Milk thistle]. [47]

The protective effects of milk thistle on liver injury may be related to the recovery of the
membrane fluidities of liver microsome and mitochondria [48]

HEPATITIS C A double-blinded trial of 141 subjects demonstrated that milk thistle extract,
silymarin, could improve symptoms and general well-being of patients suffered from hepatitis
C. [49] However, some researchers found that milk thistle extracts had no benefits on liver
health. For instance, milk thistle extract was found to have no hepatoprotective effect on dairy
cows. [50]

NERVOUS SYSTEM
In a cell study, milk thistle silymarin significantly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of
microglia and the production of inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha
and nitric oxide (NO), and reduced the damage to dopaminergic neurons.[51]

Milk thistle extract protected cultured rat hippocampal neurons against oxidative
stress-induced cell death. [52]

MILK THISTLE DRUG INTERACTION
Milk thistle decreased the trough concentrations of indinavir in humans. [53] However, another
study showed milk thistle had no apparent effect on indinavir plasma concentrations. [54] This
conflicting data might be due to different milk thistle product preparation, extraction method,
product composition, experimental design or even the purity of milk thistle.

MILK THISTLE SIDE EFFECTS
Milk thistle appears to be safe and accepted by patients. Only a few cases of milk thistle side
effect have been reported. Citations about milk thistle side effects and safety issues from
various researchers are summarized as follows:

[1] Silymarin (milk thistle) with few side effects that has been safely used for centuries to treat
liver ailments. [55]

[2] Silymarin (milk thistle) side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances and allergic skin
rashes.[56]

[3] In a study of 170 patients with cirrhosis, researchers observed no milk thistle side effect.
[57]

[4] Silymarin (milk thistle) exposure did not produce any signs of overt toxicity or any changes
in relative organ weights. Johnson VJ et al, Physiological responses of a natural antioxidant
flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c mice: III. [58]

[5] Treatment with milk thistle appears to be safe and well tolerated. No reduction in mortality,
but improvements in histology and in biochemical markers of liver function among patients
with chronic liver disease were found with milk thistle supplement. [59]

[6] Milk thistle was not associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse events. [60]

[7] High dose of milk thistle may stimulate inflammatory process (from a mice study). [61]

Note Milk thistle can produce allergic reactions, which tend to be more common among
people who are allergic to plants in the same family (e.g. ragweed, chrysanthemium,
marigold, and daisy}.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Milk thistle has somewhat benefits on liver conditions. But, its effect on hepatitis C is
inconclusive.
2. Milk thistle extracts are well-accepted, with limited side effects.
3. Milk thistle extracts may have benfits on cancer prevention, based on the vitro and animal
studies.
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This milk thistle article is for your information only. If you have any question, please,
consult with your doctor. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 zhion. Do not copy nor transfer this
article to other websites or other types of publications.

How popular is milk thistle? The most common herbal medications taken by hepatitis C patients were milk
thistle (12.2%), ginseng (4.6%), and echinacea (3.0%). [1]

RESEARCH ALERT: Milk thistle may help diabetics
In a study, researchers treated diabetics with 200 mg of silymarin three times a day. After four months, patients
had reductions in blood glucose levels. The reults are very encouraging and the researchers planned to do
further large multi-centre studies. [Milk thistle may help diabetics -study, Reuters, October 30, 2006.]

Milk Thistle
Benefits, Side Effects; Research Finds

MILK THISTLE EXTRACTION
METHOD
The extraction of milk thistle
compounds usually involves a
two-step: (1) defatting and
(2) extraction process using
organic solvents. Lipid
removal is an important
extraction step for milk thistle
compounds, because defatted
material yields twice the
silymarin concentration. [2]
Bioling water is an effective
method to extract more polar
silymarins such as taxifolin
and silychristin from milk
thistle seed. Severe
degradation of milk thistle
compounds occurred under
hot water extraction at 140
degrees C. [4] The yield of
silymarin of milk thistle
extraction increases with
increasing temperature.
While, boling alcohol is an
effective way to extract
taxifolin, silychristin, silybinin
A and silybinin B from
defatted milk thistle seed
meal. [3] Thus, method of
extraction affects the milk
thistle extract composition
and the benefits it offers.

MILK THISTLE INGREDIENTS
ISOLATION AND
CHARACTERIZATION METHODS
Silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin
A, and isosilybin B, could be
separated from milk thistle by
sequential silica gel column
chromatography, preparative
reversed-phase HPLC, and
recrystallization. [5]

Milk thistle ingredients include
silybins A (1) and B (2), and
isosilybins A (3) and B (4)
silychristin (5) isosilychristin
(6) and silydianin (7), and a
flavonoid, taxifolin (8).
Methods used are preparative
reversed-phase HPLC, 2D
NMR and CD spectroscopy. [6]

photo by NCCAM

NCCAM is currently
supporting a phase II
research study to better
understand the use of milk
thistle for chronic hepatitis
C.

The National Cancer
Institute and the National
Institute of Nursing
Research are also studying
milk thistle for cancer
prevention and to treat
complications in HIV
patients.

SOURCE Milk Thistle
NCCAM Online Publication
December 2005.

photo by NCCAM