Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum ) for the Therapy of Liver Disease

Flora, Kenneth D.; Hahn, Martin; Rosen, Hugo R.; Benner, Kent G.

doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.1998.00139.x

Cited by 644 publications

(233 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Among various plants, Silybum marianum (milk thistle) is the most researched plant for the treatment of liver diseases from ancient times until now (9,10). Several studies showed that the extract of this plant protects the liver against chemical and environmental toxins (11)(12)(13)(14).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Effect of Silybum marianum Plant Extract on Tamoxifen-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Behrouj¹,

Ziamajidi²,

Abbasalipourkabir³

et al. 2015

Avicenna J Med Biochem

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Background: Tamoxifen (TMX) is a synthetic drug that is widely used for treatment of breast cancer. Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side effects such as the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in the patients. Silybum marianum is the most researched plant in treatment of liver disease. Objectives: In this study the effect of Silybum marianum Extract (SME) on histological and biochemical parameters in TMX-treated rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were divided to four groups; 1) normal control untreated rats, 2) SME-treated rats, that received only SME in a dose of 1.6 g/kg body weight/day, oral gavage for 14 days, 3) TMX-treated rats, that received TMX in a dose of 1 mg/ kg body weight/day, subcutaneously, for seven days, 4) TMX-SME-treated rats, that received TMX in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight/day, subcutaneously, for seven days and then SME by oral gavage for 14 days. The groups were compared in terms of serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), High-Density LipoproteinCholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C), total protein and liver triglyceride amount, and histological findings. Results: Concentrations of HDL-C and protein decreased and activity of ALT increased in TMX group compared with the control group. The SME increased protein concentration and decreased ALT activity in TMX-SME group compared with the TMX group. Histopathological examination and triglyceride assay in liver tissues showed lipid accumulation in the TMX-treated rats and amelioration of lipid accumulation in the liver of TMX-SME-treated rats. Conclusions: Intake of water extract of Silybum marianum is a useful treatment for liver function in drug-induced fatty liver.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Effect of Silybum marianum Plant Extract on Tamoxifen-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Behrouj¹,

Ziamajidi²,

Abbasalipourkabir³

et al. 2015

Avicenna J Med Biochem

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show abstract

“…Silymarin and its active constituent, silybin, are believed to act as antioxidants, scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, thus finding use in chronic liver disorders [87,88]. It is believed to be safe and well-tolerated, with very minor side effects reported when taken within the recommended dose range (gastrointestinal upset, mild laxative effect and rare allergic reaction).…”

Section: Liver Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacokinetic Herb-Drug Interactions: Insight into Mechanisms and Consequences

Oga

Sekine

Shitara

et al. 2015

Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet

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“…Silymarin, an antioxidant flavonoid complex derived from the herb milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has long been used in the treatment of liver diseases [12,21,27,33]. This property seems to be due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and to chelate metal ions [6,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the Prophylactic Effect of Silymarin and Deferoxamine on Iron Overload-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rat

et al. 2010

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In pathologic conditions or poisoning states, iron overload can affect different tissues including liver. In this study, the prophylactic effect of deferoxamine and silymarin was compared in decreasing experimental ironoverload-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The study was done in six groups of rats, which received drugs q2 days for 2 weeks. The rats in groups 1 to 6 received drugs, respectively: normal saline, iron dextran, iron dextran+deferoxamine (intraperitoneally), iron dextran+silymarin (orally), iron dextran+ silymarin (intraperitoneally), and iron dextran+deferoxamine (intraperitoneally)+silymarin (intraperitoneally). At the end of the study, blood was collected, and serum was separated for laboratory tests. The liver of rats was separated for iron measuring and tissue processing. The serum iron concentration and the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. The numbers of necrotic hepatocytes were counted as quantity index tissue injury in light microscopic examination. The mean of serum and liver iron in group 2 was significantly greater than group 1. Liver iron was significantly decreased in other groups except group 4. Also serum iron was decreased in groups 3 to 6 compared to group 2 (nearly 400%). ALT activity in group 3 and AST activity in group 5 were significantly lesser than in other groups. The mean of necrotic hepatocytes in group 2 was significantly increased in comparison to group 1. This elevation was significantly prevented by deferoxamine and silymarin. The result of the present study shows that silymarin has a protective effect similar to deferoxamine on iron overload-induced hepatotoxicity.

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Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum ) for the Therapy of Liver Disease

Cited by 644 publications

References 15 publications

Therapeutic Effect of Silybum marianum Plant Extract on Tamoxifen-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Therapeutic Effect of Silybum marianum Plant Extract on Tamoxifen-Induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Pharmacokinetic Herb-Drug Interactions: Insight into Mechanisms and Consequences

Comparison of the Prophylactic Effect of Silymarin and Deferoxamine on Iron Overload-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rat

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