Fruits Of Milk Thistle Research Articles

АНАЛИЗ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО РЫНКА ПРЕПАРАТОВ, СОДЕРЖАЩИХ ЭКСТРАКТИВНЫЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИ АКТИВНЫЕ ВЕЩЕСТВА РАСТОРОПШИ ПЯТНИСТОЙ

Natural flavolignans of milk thistle are widely used in pharmaceutical practice in the form of herbal remedies for the treatment of various hepatopathologies. In medical practice, medications (medicines) and dietary supplements containing extractive substances of milk thistle fruits are used. The therapeutic effect of drugs containing extractive substances of milk thistle is due to the stabilizing effect of flavolignans on hepatocyte membranes and neutralization of free radicals in the liver. By having a stabilizing effect on cell membranes, the extractive components of milk thistle prevent the release of intracellular components (transaminases) and promote the regeneration of liver cells. The work carried out a marketing analysis of the pharmaceutical market of drugs in Volgograd containing extractive substances of milk thistle and an assessment of their therapeutic effect in medical practice. The conducted research showed the presence on the pharmaceutical market of Volgograd of a wide range of over-the-counter medications containing extract of milk thistle fruits, both domestic and foreign produced. It was revealed that prescription drugs are not available in pharmacy organizations in Volgograd. It is shown that the main segment contains preparations containing milk thistle extractives in the form of dietary supplements. The analyzed price segment of drugs and dietary supplements is defined as average.

Milk thistle extracts could enhance the UV-protection efficiency and stability of mineral filters in sunscreen formulations

This paper was aimed to determine the total silymarin content, total antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging activity of methanolic extracts obtained by ultrasonic assisted extraction of defatted milk thistle fruits, as well as to evaluate the sunscreen activity of the cream formulation containing milk thistle extract (MTE) using in vitro SPF method. Antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of extract was also evaluated. Moreover, the probable mode of action for the antioxidant activity of the extract detected via the in vitro assay was explored through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The total amount of silymarin in MTE was determined spectrophotometrically as silibinin equivalent. While the total antioxidant capacity of MTE and cream containing MTE was determined by the copper ions (Cu2+) reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, the radical scavenging capacity was determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) method. Total tocopherol content was determined spectrophotometrically. In the present study, the amount of silymarin in the MTE was determined as 330.19 ± 1.95 mg silibinin equivalent/g-extract. The CUPRAC and DPPH values of MTE were calculated to be 2.49 ± 0.03, 0.675 ± 0.0006 mmol TE/g-extract, respectively, while the CUPRAC and DPPH values of the cream containing MTE were 0.327 ± 0.003, 0.156 ± 0.0006 mmol TE/g-cream, respectively. The total tocopherol content of the oils of milk thistle fruits was found to be 383.43 mg/kg oil. According to microbial tests results the MIC values of S. aureus and E. coli was detected 0.15625 and 0.3125, respectively. And inhibition rate of extract on biofilm formation on P. aeruginosa PAO1 was found 33 % rate. The molecular docking study demonstrated that the major constituent, silibinin, had a high potential of binding to the human peroxiredoxin 5. On the other hand, the MD simulation of the enzyme-silibinin complex revealed that the compound could be unstable in the binding region of the enzyme. The addition of MTE, which has antioxidant properties, to creams improved its effectiveness on sun protection and contributed to obtaining high SPF values. At the end of day 28 under accelerated test conditions, the combination of ZnO and MTE exhibited greater ability for sun protection compared to the cream containing ZnO as a sun filter agent. Additionally, milk thistle extracts is an ideal filter agent as an ingredient in sunscreens.

Effect of milk thistle and silimevit on the functional state and protein synthesizing-function of the liver of laying hens under conditions of cadmium load

The purpose of the work was to study the effect of Cadmium on liver function disorders and to develop practical recommendations for using silimevit and milk thistle to reduce the toxic effect of Cadmium on chickens. To achieve the set goal in experiments on chickens under cadmium load, it was necessary to solve the following tasks: to study the effect of Cadmium on the protein synthesis function of the liver of laying hens; to study the effect of Cadmium on the functional state of the liver of laying hens; to investigate the effect of silimevit and the fruits of milk thistle on the functional state of the liver of laying hens under cadmium load; to investigate the effect of silimevit and milk thistle fruits on the protein synthesis function of the liver of laying hens under cadmium load and to justify the use of silimevit and milk thistle to prevent cadmium toxicosis in chickens. Drinking cadmium sulfate to laying hens violates the liver's functional state and protein-synthesizing function. A decrease in total protein and albumin content in their blood was established (Р < 0.001). An increase in alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity was detected (Р < 0.001). Silimevit and milk thistle positively affect the functional state of the liver of laying hens under cadmium load, as evidenced by a decrease in the activity of aminotransferases in their blood serum. Silimevit and spotted thistle, under the cadmium load of laying hens, positively affect the liver's protein-synthesizing function, evidenced by an increase in total protein and albumin fraction. Feeding laying hens under cadmium load with slime feed contributed to a better-normalizing effect on the activity of aminotransferases and protein-synthesizing function of the chickens' liver than milk thistle.

DETERMINATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN MILK THISTLE FRUITS GROWING NATURALLY IN THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

The work is devoted to the determination of water-soluble vitamins in the fruits of milk thistle, which grows naturally in some areas of the Republic of Dagestan, differing from each other by natural and climatic conditions: Suleiman Stalsky, Kaitagsky, Magaramkent, Levashinsky and Kulinsky districts. Phenotypic factors (altitude above sea level, soil composition, number of sunny days, precipitation volume, humidity, average daytime temperature, etc.) affected the vitamin composition of milk thistle fruits growing in natural conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography in gradient elution mode was used to determine water-soluble vitamins in milk thistle fruit samples. Nine water-soluble vitamins in milk thistle fruits (ascorbic acid, vitamins B and PP) have been identified and quantified. The variability of the content of water-soluble vitamins in the fruits of wild milk thistle, depending on the growing conditions, has been established. Statistical analysis of the data array on vitamin composition showed the presence of not only significant symbate and asymmetric correlations of the type Y=aX+b (pair correlation coefficient |R|≥0.55), but also close natural correlations (|R|≥0.80) between the content of certain vitamins and individual phenotypic factors.

Bioactive Substances and Microbiological Quality of Milk Thistle Fruits from Organic and Conventional Farming

The agricultural policy of the European Union is currently focused on increasing the area of organic farming. Medicinal plants, including milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.), are particularly suitable for this type of cultivation. The aim of this study was to compare milk thistle fruits from organic and conventional farming in terms of the content of silymarin and individual flavonolignans, oil content, microbiological purity, as well as antimicrobial activity of the silymarin extract, mainly in relation to microorganisms responsible for skin infections. The raw material of Silybi mariani fructus obtained from organic farming did not differ in terms of silymarin and oil content compared to the raw material from conventional cultivation. However, it differed in the composition of silymarin and the level of microbiological contamination. Raw material from organic farming was mostly characterized by a higher proportion of the sum of silydianin and silychristin in the silymarin complex than the sum of silybinin A and silybinin B. In the samples from conventional cultivation, only genotypes with a predominance of silybinins were present. Although the total number of microorganisms (TAMC) and yeasts and molds (TYMC) on fruit from organic farming were several times higher than on fruit from conventional farming, it was still within the standards set for food products. All raw materials were free of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, it was shown that the silymarin extract from organic farming was generally characterized by greater antimicrobial activity, especially in relation to Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant and troublesome in skin infections.

Thiamethoxam evoked neural oxido-inflammatory stress in male rats through modulation of Nrf2/NF-kB/iNOS signaling and inflammatory cytokines: Neuroprotective effect of Silymarin

Thiamethoxam (TMX), a neonicotinoid insecticide, is a widely used insecticide with neurotoxic potential. Silymarin (SM), a milk thistle-derived flavonoid, is known with its promising biological activities. This study explored the neuroprotective effects of SM against TMX-triggered cortical injury in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups and treated daily either with SM (150 mg/kg), TMX (78.15 mg/kg), or both at the aforementioned doses for 28 days. Our results revealed marked declines in cortical SOD and CAT activities with elevations in MDA, IL-1b and TNF-α levels in TMX-treated rats. Further, TMX induced down-regulation in the gene expressions of Sod, Cat, Gpx, and Nrf-2, with up-regulation in the gene expressions of IL-1b, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α and NF-kB. Interestingly, pre-treatment with SM provided a notable neuroprotective action against TMX-mediated cortical damage that indicates its promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This effect may be mediated by Nrf2/NF-kB/iNOS signalling and suppression of excess free radicals and production of inflammatory cytokines. In brief, SM could be a promising therapeutic agent against TMX-mediated neural complication via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Practical applicationsThe using of neonicotinoids as thiamethoxam is recently increased and is associated with brain damage. TMX induced excessive oxidative and inflammatory damage. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are needed to counteract its adverse effects on the nervous system. SM, a flavonoid, is extracted from the seeds and fruits of milk thistle. Due to its potent antioxidative activity, SM have been applied to mitigate the oxidative stress as well as inflammatory disorders. Herein, we examined the potential therapeutic role of SM against TMX-induced brain oxidative stress and inflammation in rats through evaluating oxidative markers, inflammatory response, and histopathological changes in the brain cortical tissue.

Proximate Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Morphological Parts of Herbs

The aim of the study was to provide an analytical evaluation of the proximate composition, the total content of polyphenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity, of 27 selected plant materials collected in Poland (West Pomeranian). The basic chemical composition was determined in the ground samples according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Antioxidant activity was tested using free radical methods ABTS•+, DPPH•+ and the FRAP method. The lowest concentration of dry matter (DM) was measured in black chokeberry (88.82 g/100 g) and the highest was found in milk thistle (94.65 g/100 g) as well as black cumin (95.09 g/100 g). The content of total polyphenols, assessed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, ranged from 291.832–7565.426 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalent (CGA)/100 g of DM. Antioxidant activity measured sequentially against the radical ABTS•+, DPPH•+ and using the FRAP method was 26.334–1912.016 µM Trolox/g DM, 9.475–1061.068 µM Trolox/g DM and 26.252–1769.766 µM Trolox/g DM, respectively. The methanolic extract from milk thistle fruit in most assays was characterized by the lowest antioxidant activity and the lowest total content of polyphenolic compounds. Methanol extracts prepared from garlic, stinging nettle and cleavers showed the highest content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity among the tested plant materials. The parts of plants with the highest antioxidant potential can be a source of new bioactive compounds, but further research is required to describe the profile of compounds harmful to human health.

Investigation of market herbal products regulated under different categories: How can HPTLC help to detect quality problems?

Background: Herbal products regulated under different categories were found to be of different quality. This has been demonstrated by the increasing number of reports on the quality of herbal products in the scientific literature. Proper identification is an effective way to address this concerning issue early on in a products’ manufacturing process. Objectives: To assess the quality of milk thistle, coneflower and black cohosh herbal drugs, preparations and products commercialized under different regulatory categories, and to illustrate the usefulness of HPTLC as a tool for evaluating quality. Methods: HPTLC methods were adapted from the European Pharmacopeia’s monographs for milk thistle fruits, black cohosh and purple coneflower. Additional detection modes beyond those described in the monographs were employed, and the entire HPTLC fingerprints were used for examination of identity and purity of the investigated samples. Results: All products regulated as Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products were shown to be of high quality: their fingerprints were consistent and without unexpected zones. A significant number of food supplements show quality issues (mainly adulterations): 52.4% of milk thistle, 33.3% of coneflower, and 45.5% of black cohosh products. The same was observed in 66.6% of black cohosh herbal drugs and preparations.

Antitoxic Effects of Chicory Herb Extract Fractions in Rats with Toxic Hepatitis

Aim. To evaluate the antitoxic activity of chicory herb extract fractions in rats with toxic hepatitis.Materials and methods. There were 64 male rats were divided into groups of 6 animals that received the whole chicory herb extract, its fractions, or the reference drug (RD) and 2 groups did not receive any drug. The Silimar substance (a dry purified extract obtained from the fruits of milk thistle [Silybum marianum]) was chosen as RD. Animals from one of the groups that did not receive the drug (control group) and the groups that received drugs were injected with CCl4 to simulate toxic liver damage. The last group of animals received neither drugs nor CCl4 (intact animals). The changes in the activity of biotransformation enzymes (cytochrome P450 [cytР450] and glutathione transferase [GT]) in hepatocytes and serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT and AP) were assessed.Results. There was a decrease in cytР450 and GT activity in the liver microsomes of control rats (having CCl4 hepatitis without treatment) compared with intact animals. These parameters were more in the animals that were administrated with chicory herb extract, its fractions, and RD than in control animals. The administration of the whole extract, aqueous fraction, and RD led to an increase in the activity of cytP450 and GT enzymes almost to the level of the same indicators in intact animals. Pronounced grown in the activity of serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST and AP) were found after CCl4 injection. Administration of common chicory herb fractions before toxic liver damage caused a decrease in the grown of the activity of these enzymes. The greatest inhibitory effect on the grown of the activity of these liver enzymes had RD, aqueous and butanolic fractions of chicory herb. Despite a significant decrease in hyperfermentemia found in groups of animals treated with fractions of chicory herb, AST, ALT and AP activities did not reach the level that was in the intact animal group.Conclusion. The aqueous and butanolic fractions of the chicory herb extract had the highest antitoxic activity in experimental animal toxic liver injury.

Silymarin from Milk Thistle Fruits Counteracts Selected Pathological Changes in the Lenses of Type 1 Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease affecting many tissues and organs. The main etiological factor for diabetic complications is hyperglycemia and subsequent pathologies, such as oxidative stress. One of the organs susceptible to the development of diabetic complications is the eye with all of its elements, including the lens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin, an extract obtained from milk thistle fruit husks, on the oxidative stress markers in the lenses of type 1 diabetic rats. The study was performed on male rats in which type 1 diabetes was induced with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals were treated via an intragastric tube with silymarin at 50 and 100 mg/kg doses for four weeks. Multiple oxidative stress and polyol pathway-related parameters were measured in the lenses, and auxiliary biochemical tests in the serum were conducted. Diabetes induced severe pathological changes both in the lenses and the serum, and silymarin counteracted several of them. Nevertheless, the qualitative analyses encompassing all tested parameters indicate that silymarin slightly improved the overall state of diabetic animals. Upon the obtained results, it can be concluded that silymarin reveals a faint positive effect on the lenses in type 1 diabetic rats.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN ON THE CONTENT OF FATTY OIL AND OTHER BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN THE FRUITS OF MILK THISTLE SPOTTED

The object of the study was the fruits of milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L) Gaertn.] and fatty oil obtained from them by hexane extraction in the Soxlet apparatus.
 The aim of the study was to study the influence of natural and climatic conditions on the accumulation of fatty oil and other biologically active substances in the fruits of milk thistle growing on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan.
 It was found that the content of fatty oil and proteins in the fruits of milk thistle increases with a decrease in air temperature, an increase in the amount of precipitation and soil moisture at the place of growth; the content of carbohydrates and flavolignans in the studied samples of milk thistle fruits is inversely dependent on the content of fatty oil.
 It was revealed that with an increase in the amount of precipitation and a decrease in the amount of active temperatures during the change of the natural and climatic zone from the foothill Kaitagsky to the high-mountain Kulinsky district, the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid, in milk thistle oil samples decreases.
 The method of differential scanning calorimetry has been used to study the thermophysical properties of the fatty oil of milk thistle growing in the Kulinsky, Levashinsky and Kaitagsky districts of Dagestan. The results of the thermal analysis are in good agreement with the conclusions obtained from the results of chemical and chromatographic analysis, differential scanning calorimetry allows us to identify trends in the change in the fatty acid and triglyceride composition of milk thistle fatty oil, depending on the natural and climatic conditions of the growth of milk thistle.

The Formation of Dispersed Systems from Aqueous Extracts from Milk Thistle Fruits

The Formation of Dispersed Systems from Aqueous Extracts from Milk Thistle Fruits

Extraction of Fatty Oil from Milk Thistle Fruits with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Extraction of Fatty Oil from Milk Thistle Fruits with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Biotechnological Techniques to Improve Regenerative Abilities of Liver Tissue in Experimental Cholestasis

The study examined the effect of plant hepatoprotectors obtained in the process of biotechnological techniques and thermal effects on liver tissue to prevent the destruction of cell membranes and stimulate regenerative processes in hepatocytes in experimental models (12 dogs). All animals underwent complex conservative therapy, including a plant hepatoprotector with the code name GTPS-4, containing a purified dry extract from the fruits of milk thistle, dry extract from tansy, St. John’s wort, turmeric, birch leaves and immortelle flowers. Conservative therapy was combined with thermal effects on the liver tissue to enhance reparative regeneration. The combination of herbal preparations and contact coagulation techniques gave the best result, and the optimal combination of herbal preparations in the form of collection was also proposed. The structural and functional state of the liver was assessed according to the results of morphological studies. The performed complex therapy significantly improves the condition of the liver tissues, its regenerative abilities and normalizes homeostasis indicators. The inclusion of plant hepatoprotectors in complex conservative therapy is a promising direction in the development of biotechnology in hepatology.

Influence of agricultural cultivation techniques on the quality of milk thistle fruits

Relevance. The research is aimed at developing elements of technology for cultivating milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.). Such elements as the timing and methods of sowing, the seeding rate, and weed control measures are presented here. The research was carried out on leached Chernozem soils of the Middle Volga region in a temperate continental climate.Results. The effectiveness of early spring ordinary crops, allowing to increase the content of oil– up to 33%, protein – up to 16%, was established. The methods used allow to increase the oil harvest from 1 ha by an average of 14%, in comparison with wide-row sowing, which is a significant indicator in the cultivation of the crop. The use of agrotechnical methods of weed control provided an increase in the yield of milk thistle seeds by an average of 0.16 t/ha, in comparison with the control.

Ameliorative activity of aqueous leaf extract from Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-administered toxicity on rat stomach and intestine

ABSTRACT Madhuca longifolia, a tropical tree used as medicine and food, is known to have a beneficial effect against stomach gastric toxicity. Madhuca longifolia is used in treating cough, skin disease and nerve disorders. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with overdosage and prolonged use, is known to cause gastric toxicity. Silymarin (SLY), a polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid, is a derivative of Silybum marianum extracted from milk thistle seeds and fruits, has been widely used in the treatment of gastric ulcer. SLY was used as the standard drug to compare the effects with the Madhuca longifolia aqueous leaf extract treatment. The aim of the current study is to understand the effect of Madhuca longifolia aq. leaf extract on rat stomach and intestine against diclofenac-administered toxicity. Rats (n = 30) were divided into Group I normal control, Group II treated with diclofenac, Group III treated with diclofenac and Madhuca longifolia leaf extract, Group IV treated with diclofenac and silymarin, and Group V was treated with Madhuca longifolia leaf extract alone. After the study duration, rats were euthanized and tissue samples were analyzed for antioxidant, cytokine, protein expression levels and histopathological changes. Diclofenac treated rats had significant (p < 0.05) changes in levels of antioxidants, cytokines, protein expression and pathological changes as compared to rats treated with Madhuca longifolia. This study demonstrated that Madhuca longifolia leaf extract had gastroprotective activity in rats treated with diclofenac.

The effect of milk thistle, metiphen, and silimevit on the protein-synthesizing function of the liver of laying hens in experimental chronic cadmium toxicosis

The study aimed to investigate the effect of milk thistle, methiphene, and silimevit on the liver's protein-synthesizing function of laying hens in examination chronic cadmium toxicosis. Thirty-two chickens, 78 weeks old, were selected for the study. Four groups were formed: control and three experimental. Birds of the experimental group (E1) with fodder were fed the fruits of milk thistle at a dose of 2.0 g/kg of feed once a day for 30 days. Chickens of the experimental group (E2) were fed metifen at a dose of 0.28 g / kg of nutrition once a day for 30 days. Hens of the experimental group (E3) were fed silymevit at a dose of 0.36 g/kg of feed nutrition once a day for 30 days. The results showed that the total protein content and its plasma fractions of birds vary throughout the research in poultry control and experimental groups. Thus, in the blood of laying hens subjected to cadmium loading, a decrease in their blood of total protein and albumin fraction was found. Under the cadmium toxicosis of chickens, milk thistle, metifen, and silimevit positively affect the liver's protein-synthesizing function, as indicated by an increase in the total protein level and albumin. Feeding with milk thistle and silymevit contributed to a better normalizing effect on the liver's protein-synthesizing function than the use of metifen.

Selection and validation of reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization in different tissues of milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Gaert.).

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR is a sensitive technique for evaluating transcriptional profiles in different experimental datasets. To obtain a reliable quantification of the transcripts level, data normalization with stable reference genes is required. Stable reference genes are identified after analysis of their transcripts profile in every new experiment and species of interest. In Silybum marianum, a widely cultivated officinal plant, only few gene expression studies exist, and reference genes for RT-qPCR studies in the diverse plant tissues have never been investigated before. In this work, the expression stability of 10 candidate reference genes was evaluated in leaves, roots, stems and fruits of S. marianum grown under physiological environmental condition. The stability values for each candidate reference gene were calculated by four canonical statistical algorithms GeNorm, NormFinder, Bestkeeper and ΔCt method in different subsets of samples, then they were ranked with RefFinder from the most to the least suitable for normalization. Best combinations of reference genes are finally proposed for different experimental data sets, including all tissues, vegetative, and reproductive tissues separately. Three target genes putatively involved in important biosynthetic pathway leading to key metabolites in the fruits of milk thistle, such as silymarin and fatty acids, were analyzed with the chosen panels of reference genes, in comparison to the ones used in previous papers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a reliable and systematic identification and validation of the reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization to study gene expression in S. marianum.

AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF FRUITS SILYBUM MARIANUM, GROWING IN THE TERRITORY OF THE RE-PUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

The object of the study was partially skimmed fruits (meal) of milk Thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.], growing on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan. The aim of the study was to determine the protein content in the meal of milk Thistle fruits and its amino acid composition; assessment of the biological value of the studied protein. It was found that partially skimmed fruits of milk Thistle contain 21.72% protein, which is about 2 times more than the seeds of grain crops. The composition of milk Thistle protein by ion exchange and liquid chromatography identified and quantified 18 amino acids, including all essential amino acids, which account for 30.11% of the protein. In the composition of the protein in greater quantities than in the protein standard found essential amino acids: phenylalanine+tyrosine, threonine, isoleucine and valine. Arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, and serine have been found to be the most abundant of the amino acids in milk Thistle protein. It is established that the protein of milk Thistle fruits is comparable to the protein of winter wheat and rye varieties by formal indicators of biological value, and significantly exceeds the protein of sunflower meal.

Gene Expression Analysis and Metabolite Profiling of Silymarin Biosynthesis during Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) Fruit Ripening.

Mature fruits (i.e., achenes) of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Asteraceae) accumulate high amounts of silymarin (SILM), a complex mixture of bioactive flavonolignans deriving from taxifolin. Their biological activities in relation with human health promotion and disease prevention are well described. However, the conditions of their biosynthesis in planta are still obscure. To fill this gap, fruit development stages were first precisely defined to study the accumulation kinetics of SILM constituents during fruit ripening. The accumulation profiles of the SILM components during fruit maturation were determined using the LC-MS analysis of these defined developmental phases. The kinetics of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and peroxidase (POX) activities suggest in situ biosynthesis of SILM from l-Phenylalanine during fruit maturation rather than a transport of precursors to the achene. In particular, in contrast to laccase activity, POX activity was associated with the accumulation of silymarin, thus indicating a possible preferential involvement of peroxidase(s) in the oxidative coupling step leading to flavonolignans. Reference genes have been identified, selected and validated to allow accurate gene expression profiling of candidate biosynthetic genes (PAL, CAD, CHS, F3H, F3’H and POX) related to SILM accumulation. Gene expression profiles were correlated with SILM accumulation kinetic and preferential location in pericarp during S. marianum fruit maturation, reaching maximum biosynthesis when desiccation occurs, thus reinforcing the hypothesis of an in situ biosynthesis. This observation led us to consider the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA), a key phytohormone in the control of fruit ripening process. ABA accumulation timing and location during milk thistle fruit ripening appeared in line with a potential regulation of the SLIM accumulation. A possible transcriptional regulation of SILM biosynthesis by ABA was supported by the presence of ABA-responsive cis-acting elements in the promoter regions of the SILM biosynthetic genes studied. These results pave the way for a better understanding of the biosynthetic regulation of SILM during the maturation of S. marianum fruit and offer important insights to better control the production of these medicinally important compounds.