Localization of phenolic compounds in the fruits of Silybum marianum characterized by different silymarin chemotype and altered colour

Giuliani, C.; Tani, Corrado; Bini, Laura; Fico, Gelsomina; Colombo, Roberto; Martinelli, Tommaso

doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2018.09.002

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Currently, it is a very popular herbal remedy used by patients suffering from liver diseases [2,3], and dietary supplements containing silymarin are among the best-selling plant-derived pharmaceuticals in Europe and the USA [4,5]. Silymarin is contained in the extract derived from the seeds of milk thistle and is a complex mixture of at least six flavonolignans (silybin A and B, isosilybin A and B, silychristin, and silydianin) and one flavonoid (taxifolin) [6,7]. The content of silymarin in seeds can reach up to 7.71% of the seed dry weight [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Plant Density and Mepiquat Chloride on Growth, Yield, and Silymarin Content of Silybum marianum Grown under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions

2019

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Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a promising new crop in the Mediterranean region. Its seeds contain silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly to produce dietary supplements. To meet the increasing demand for milk thistle, the production and productivity of milk thistle should also be optimized by employing adequate cultivation practices. In the present study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of plant density and a plant growth regulator on milk thistle crop growth, seed yield, and silymarin accumulation under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions. Our results showed that plant density had a significant impact on milk thistle crop growth and seed yield. The main crop characteristics, such as height, aboveground biomass, and seed yield were greatest when plant density was the highest. Increased plant density significantly reduced the silymarin content only in 2018. In contrast, mepiquat chloride (MC) treatment did not affect the following traits: plant biomass, relative chlorophyll content, silymarin content, and production. Nevertheless, mepiquat chloride reduced the plant height by 7.9-14.8%, depending on the application rates and growth conditions. Moreover, the impact of climatic conditions on milk thistle production and quality was significant, since the lowest values of silymarin content and seed yield were recorded in the year with drought conditions during the period from March to May.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Plant Density and Mepiquat Chloride on Growth, Yield, and Silymarin Content of Silybum marianum Grown under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions

2019

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“…8 g).According toGiuliani et al (2018) the dark colour of fully ripe fruits is due to the accumulation of condensed tannins in the pericarp of the subepidermal cell layer. The asynchronous flowering and spontaneous release, according toAlemardan et al (2013), are among the main problems in the cultivation of milk thistle.…”

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confidence: 99%

The influence of mineral nutrition and humic acids on the intensity of photosynthesis, as well as the yield and quality of seeds, roots, and aboveground phytomass of milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in marginal growing conditions

Tóth

Szanyi²,

Vančo³

et al. 2022

European Pharmaceutical Journal

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Milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. is one of the most researched medicinal plants, but at the same time it belongs to crops with wide industry potential whose growth requirements for marginal agroecological conditions or the response to agronomic interventions has not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of the present research was to verify the effect of mineral nutrition (NPK 200 kg/ha) and humic acids applied to the soil (HUMAC Agro 250 kg/ha) on the main biometric parameters and the intensity of photosynthesis of milk thistle grown under less favourable climatic conditions of the semi-cold and humid foothills in Central Europe. The highest seed yield was achieved with the NPK variant in terms of dry matter 0.534 t/ha, in the HUMAC Agro variant 0.254 t/ha and with the untreated control 0.087 t/ha. The soil before the trial establishment was characterised by low nutrient content. The use of mineral fertiliser on NPK treatment eliminated the influence of low PK nutrients content of the soil, influencing the crop growth and yield/quality, while no doses of NPK were used on the HUMAC Agro variant and the untreated control. For both of the two sequences created (temperature and light), the highest photosynthesis rate was measured on untreated control (20.115 and 12.386 mmol/m2/s1), markedly lower on HUMAC Agro (16.386 and 9.653 mmol/m2/s1) – and the lowest on the NPK (10.933 and 7.813 mmol/m2/s1, respectively), in inverse proportion to the crop yield. Therefore, the size of the leaf area of the crop was decisive for the increased crop yield. The polynomial trend line of the photosynthesis rate according to the temperature sequence shows the photosynthesis rate and the torrential decrease by temperature increasing on untreated control compared with both treated variants. Both of these threats, mineral nutrition and use of humic preparations to soil, although they reduce the photosynthesis rate, have a wide range of complex effects that provide an opportunity to optimise the growth and yield of milk thistle. Ideally, the mineral nutrition and humic preparations should be used in combination with the crop of milk thistle for medicinal and energy purposes.

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“…The biosynthesis of taxifolin occurs in the flower, then it is transferred to the pericarp where the synthesis of silymarin's constituents takes place [113]. The main silymarin storage site is the seed integument, whereas only trace amounts are present in the pericarp layer [114]. However, the amount and the accumulation of silymarin in the seed integument of milk thistle are significantly variable and deeply affected by environmental conditions; research has shown that drought stress conditions can enhance the biosynthesis of this active substance in plant tissues [115], and that its accumulation in the fruits is related to the growth phase and the lignification of the seed coat [33,105].…”

Section: Biosynthesis and Accumulation Of Silymarinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L.) as a Novel Multipurpose Crop for Agriculture in Marginal Environments: A Review

Marceddu¹,

Dinolfo²,

Carrubba³

et al. 2022

Agronomy

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Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a versatile crop that has adapted to the broadly different soil and environmental conditions throughout all continents. To date, the fruits (“seeds”) of the plant are the only reliable source of silymarin, which, given its recognized therapeutic effects and its many present and potential uses, has led to a significant re-discovery and enhancement of the crop in recent years. Overall, although many studies have been carried out globally on the bioactivity, phytochemistry, and genetics of milk thistle, few and discontinuous research activity has been conducted on its basic agronomy as well as on the farm opportunities offered by the cultivation of this species. However, the multiple potential uses of the plant and its reduced need for external inputs suggest that milk thistle can perfectly fit among the most interesting alternative crops, even for marginal environments. The growing interest in natural medicine, the increasing popularity of herbal dietary supplements, and the multiple possibilities for livestock feeding are all arguments supporting the idea that in many rural areas, this crop could represent a significant tool for enhancing and stabilizing farm income. However, several issues still have to be addressed. The species retains some morphological and physiological traits belonging to non-domesticated plants, which make the application of some common agronomic practices challenging. Furthermore, the lack of reliable field data devoted to the definition of suitable cropping protocols represents a major constraint on the spread of this crop among farmers. This review has therefore focused on updating information on the main morphological and phytochemical traits of the crop and its agronomic characteristics and novel uses. Several gaps in technical knowledge have been addressed, and further goals for experimental activity have been outlined in order to guide farmers eager to cope with the cultivation of such a challenging and resource-rich crop.

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Localization of phenolic compounds in the fruits of Silybum marianum characterized by different silymarin chemotype and altered colour

Cited by 19 publications

References 28 publications

Impact of Plant Density and Mepiquat Chloride on Growth, Yield, and Silymarin Content of Silybum marianum Grown under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions

Impact of Plant Density and Mepiquat Chloride on Growth, Yield, and Silymarin Content of Silybum marianum Grown under Mediterranean Semi-Arid Conditions

The influence of mineral nutrition and humic acids on the intensity of photosynthesis, as well as the yield and quality of seeds, roots, and aboveground phytomass of milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in marginal growing conditions

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L.) as a Novel Multipurpose Crop for Agriculture in Marginal Environments: A Review

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