Benefits of Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum L (milk thistle) is a member of the Carduus marianum family and has been used for many years to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, animal bites, mushroom poisoning, and excessive alcohol use. This plant is found in Kashmir, North America, Canada and Mexico.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for over 2,000 years. Much has been written about its impact on health. There are more than 300 scientific studies on milk thistle, one of which is a study by Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, which found the liver-protecting effects of milk thistle in cancer chemotherapy. This research also covers all aspects of the use of milk thistle in the treatment of cancer and in fighting other diseases such as hepatitis C, diabetes, and HIV.
Anticancer Plants and Herbs
The researchers stated that preclinical and clinical research shows the potential of milk thistle as an anticancer agent. Milk thistle is an option because no other treatments or supplements are available that can preserve liver function and provide clinical benefit. The clinical potential of liver-protective supplements in cancer treatment is essential because many chemotherapy drugs, as well as most other cancer drugs used by patients, have severe liver toxicity problems.
Milk thistle has been used, especially in Europe, to treat hepatitis, liver damage caused by alcoholism, and poisoning by certain types of fungi. There is no evidence that Silymarin acts directly against HIV. However, the drugs used to fight HIV can damage the liver. People infected with hepatitis B or C viruses (HBV and HCV) are more likely to experience liver problems while taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Milk thistle may help prevent damage to the liver.
This plant extract also protects the liver by acting as an antioxidant and encouraging the growth of new liver cells. It helps digest fat, prevents compounds that have a negative impact from entering liver cells and prevents or reverses damage to the liver caused by alcohol, drugs, pesticides, other toxins, or hepatitis. Milk thistle can also accelerate the reduction of toxins in the body before they enter the liver and release bile.
Taxonomy
Milk thistles are flowering plants of the Asteraceae family, genus Silybum. They are native to the Mediterranean, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Currently, they are widespread in various parts of the world, including North America. This plant is known as a wild plant with the scientific name Silybum marianum. This name refers to its active ingredient, silibium or Silymarin, which is found in the black part of the fruit.
There are only two types that can currently be classified from the Silybum genus: Silybum eburneum, which is known as Silver Milk Thistle, Elephant Thistle, or Ivory Thistle, and Silybum marianum, which is known as Blessed Milk Thistle, and has many synonyms, such as Variegated Thistle. The other two types are natural crosses: Silybum Gonzalo and S. eburneum var. Hispanic. So far, Silybum marianum is known to be the most widespread type and is believed to contain the most Silymarin for treatment.
Silymarin content in milk thistle plants
Milk thistle extract contains high levels of Silymarin, around 65–80 percent. Silymarin is a plant compound with antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Research reveals that Silymarin can improve this organ's liver function and cell regeneration. This compound is also said to reduce inflammation and benefit people with liver disease.
Several studies released through the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health revealed that silymarin in milk thistle can increase the life expectancy of people with liver disorders.
The liver disorders in question include alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, liver cancer and cirrhosis.
This benefit is because Silymarin can minimize liver damage due to free radicals, which are produced when the liver metabolizes toxic substances.
If the levels of free radicals in the body are higher than those of antioxidants, this can cause oxidative stress, aka cell damage, including liver damage.
The active ingredients in milk thistle are chemical compounds called flavonoids. The flavonoids in milk thistle are silybin, silydianin, and silychristin. Together, these three flavonoids are known as Silymarin. Therefore, people often call milk thistle silymarin.
With the formula C25H22O10, Silymarin or silibinin acts as an antioxidant that protects the action of free radicals. Some skin care products contain this compound because its antioxidant activity can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Silymarin protects the liver by stimulating the formation of new liver cells. By inhibiting the formation of peroxidation, Silymarin helps reduce or protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol, toxic mould, drugs, and various other poisons.
A kind of herbal medicine is made from milk thistle seeds for treatment. This herb has been used for over 2,000 years since ancient Greek and Roman times. Nowadays, milk thistle tea is also available. But remember that Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, is soluble in alcohol; it cannot be extracted with water effectively. Suppose you want to buy milk thistle extract. In that case, it is essential to ensure the standardization of the extraction process, that the company has good standard manufacturing processes, and that the recommended dosage is paid attention to.
The uses of milk thistle have been tested on humans and animals. Safety and effectiveness are sometimes different for everyone. In some severe cases, they must be evaluated by a qualified health team.
- Hepatoprotector
The liver is a crucial organ for metabolism and excretion, so it is often exposed to xenobiotics. Toxins absorbed in the digestive tract pass through the liver and can cause liver damage. Liver damage can then lead to severe diseases such as acute hepatitis and liver cancer, which are caused by various mechanisms caused by liver damage.
Silymarin has been used as a hepatoprotector for many years. Although the mechanism is unclear, Silymarin is reported to have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, antiproliferative and antiviral potential. Silymarin has a short t1/2 and is rapidly conjugated in the liver and excreted in the bile.
The hepatoprotective property of Silymarin is to fight free radicals and increase glutathione levels, thereby inhibiting lipid peroxidation, increasing the stability of membranes exposed to xenobiotics, having steroid-like effects, and reducing collagen fibre deposition. In addition, Silymarin and silybinin can also increase ribosomal protein synthesis by stimulating RNA polymerase.
- Prevent cancer
The efficacy of Silymarin or silybinin in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, etc., has been reported. The cytoprotective mechanisms of silybin are related to antioxidative and radical-scavenging and modulation of various cell signalling pathways in NF-kappa B, suppression of EGFR-MAPK/ERK1/2, and IGF receptor signalling. In addition, the anti-apoptotic effect of Silymarin against UV radiation suggests a mechanism of up-regulation of tumour suppressor genes p53 and p21CIP1.
Silymarin can be used as a companion therapy with other chemotherapy because silybin helps protect the liver against oxidative stress caused by chemotherapy. In addition, Silymarin inhibits the increase in beta-catenin, which can suppress the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.
- Kidney Protection
The efficacy of Silymarin has been tested in mice with kidney damage. It can also be used as a medication for diabetic nephropathy. Free radicals reduce glomerular filtration function, and therapy using Silymarin and/or vitamin E increases serum creatinine concentrations.
- Nerve Protection
Silymarin, given at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day to old mice, can protect against protein oxidation in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Because of this protective effect, Silymarin can also be used as an option in fighting Alzheimer's disease.
- Immunomodulation
Silymarin, at a dose of 10 mg/kgBW, helps reduce the number of CD3+ T-lymphocytes and CD-4. Doses of 10 and 50 mg/kgBW can also increase B lymphocyte blastogenesis and reduce the expression of IL-2 and IL-4. Silymarin can significantly reduce the production of IL-2 and Interferon gamma (IFN-Y) and prevent the translocation of the transcription factor NF-KB.
- Protective effect of toxins
In research involving healthy volunteers who experienced the cytotoxic effects of Benzo pyrene on peripheral blood vessels, Silymarin helped stabilize cell membranes, increase the GSH/GSSG ratio and restore the glutathione enzyme, and stimulate antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and catalase.
- Diabetes Treatment
Research shows that when combined with traditional treatments, milk thistle can help people with diabetes. It can also improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. Milk thistle also contains another compound called silibin, which has been found to positively affect some diabetes complications.
- Improve Heart Health
Milk thistle can lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also lower cholesterol levels by reducing inflammation, which can help cleanse the blood and prevent damage to the arteries due to oxidative stress. This herb also prevents the depletion of glutathione, a critical antioxidant that fights oxidative stress and prevents heart disease.
Milk Thistle side effects
For most adults, milk thistle is very safe. However, in some people, it can cause nausea, diarrhea, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, and headaches.
Milk thistle is also safe to use directly on the skin for short periods. If you are worried about the side effects caused by using milk thistle, please see and consult with your doctor.
Attention
There is no information regarding the safety of using milk thistle for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It's best to avoid it until further research is done.
Be careful if you have diabetes; your dose may need to be adjusted because milk thistle can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Be careful if you have a ragweed allergy; milk thistle can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to the Asteraceae family of plants.
Do not use milk thistle if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids because milk thistle can act like estrogen.
Before consuming milk thistle, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications altered by the liver.
Consult a doctor if you plan to use milk thistle.
One potential research gap is the need for further studies to explore the long-term effects, optimal dosage, and potential side effects of milk thistle consumption. Additionally, more research could investigate possible interactions between milk thistle and other medications or supplements and their efficacy in specific populations or medical conditions. Furthermore, there may be a gap in understanding the most effective forms of milk thistle and the best methods for its administration to maximize its potential health benefits.
