Abstract
This chapter appraises the therapeutic properties of milk thistle seeds. Milk thistle seeds' therapeutic and health-promoting efficacy involves a variety of molecular mechanisms. Its primary activities are as an antioxidant and a hepatoprotective. The seeds also contain other flavonolignans, betaine, apigenin, silybonol, proteins, fixed oil, and free fatty acids, which may contribute to the health-giving effects of milk thistle seeds. Silymarin is used for the treatment of several liver diseases characterized by degenerative necrosis and functional impairment, including chronic liver disorders. It successfully opposes alcoholic cirrhosis, with its antioxidant and hepatoprotective mechanisms restoring the normal liver biochemical parameters. However, human studies on the management of alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis are equivocal. In patients with acute viral hepatitis, silymarin shortens the treatment time and shows improvement in serum bilirubin and serum liver enzymatic levels. Silymarin stimulates liver tissue regeneration by increasing protein synthesis in the injured liver. Milk thistle seed demonstrates anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, lipid, and biliary effects. It also has antiviral, antitumor, and other health-beneficiary properties. Its preparations are safe, well tolerated, and cause no serious side effects in humans, although there may be mild gastrointestinal and allergic reactions. More research is warranted to validate its wide range of health-promoting effects.
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