Fruits Of Milk Thistle Research Articles

A Silychristin Isomer and Variation of Flavonolignan Levels in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Fruits

A new natural product has been isolated from silymarin, the hepatoprotective extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) fruits. This was shown by NMR spectroscopy to be silychristin B (8), a diastereoisomer of the known silychristin (7). Levels of these and the other flavonolignans varied markedly in fruits of different S. marianum samples.

Chemoprotective effect of plant phenolics against anthracycline-induced toxicity on rat cardiomyocytes. Part I. Silymarin and its flavonolignans.

Silymarin, an extract of fl avonolignans from the dried fruits of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertneri) and its constituents silibinin, dehydrosilibinin, silychristin and silydianin were tested for protective effects on rat cardiomyocytes exposed to doxorubicin. Silymarin and individual fl avonolignans did not exert cytotoxicity in the range 25-100 micro m (incubation 9 h). Dehydrosilibinin was tested only at 25 micro m concentration due to its low solubility. All substances increased the cell ATP level. Silymarin and fl avonolignans displayed a dose-dependent cytoprotection against doxorubicin (100 micro m, incubation 8 h). The protective effects of silymarin, silibinin, dehydrosilibinin and silychristin were comparable to that of dexrasoxane, while silydianin exerted the best protective effect. The ability of silymarin complex and its components to protect cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress is due mainly to their cell membrane stabilization effect, radical scavenging and iron chelating potency.

STANDARDIZATION OF HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

STANDARDIZATION OF HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

Physiological responses to a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c mice: II. alterations in thymic differentiation correlate with changes in c-myc gene expression.

Silymarin is a mixture of bioactive flavonoids isolated from the seeds and fruits of Milk Thistle [ Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner]. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to silymarin will modulate differentiation and cell selection in the thymus via alterations in gene expression. Male BALB/c mice were treated intraperitoneally once daily for five days with 0, 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg of silymarin. Flow cytometric examination of thymic lymphocyte populations showed that the absolute numbers of CD4 + and CD8 + positive T-lymphocytes were increased by silymarin. The c- myc proto-oncogene is important in controlling differentiation and functions of thymocytes. Treatment with silymarin resulted in increased c- myc expression in the thymus. In contrast, the expressions of IL-2 and IL-4 were decreased by silymarin, while MHC II expression did not change. These results indicate that in vivo exposure to silymarin influences phenotypic selection processes in the thymus at doses that may be encountered in natural medicinal use. Further studies investigating the effects of silymarin on the immune system are warranted.

Stability of the constituents of Calendula, Milk-thistle and Passionflower tinctures by LC-DAD and LC-MS

As a part of our investigations on the stability of tinctures, we evaluated 40 and 60% v/v tinctures of Calendula flower, Milk-thistle fruit and Passionflower. These preparations are widely employed in phytotherapy, thus Calendula is used externally for anti-inflammatory properties, Milk-thistle and Passionflower are employed for hepatic injuries and in tenseness with difficulty in falling asleep, respectively. Aim of this work was to assess the chemical stability of their active or marker constituents from accelerated and long-term testing by using HPLC. For Calendula flower and Passionflower active constituents are not known, however, flavonoids seem to have a crucial importance for the activity, and thus are considered the markers of Calendula and of Passionflower. Active constituents of Milk-thistle are represented by silymarin that is a phytocomplex mainly constituted by three flavolignans: silybin, silychristin and silydianin. Our investigation showed a very low thermal stability of the constituents from accelerated and long-term testing and determined by HPLC-DAD and -MS analyses and was related both to the class of flavonoids and water content of the investigated tinctures. Thus, shelf-lives at 25 °C of the most stable tincture (Passionflower 60% v/v) was about 6 months and only about 3 months the stability of Milk-thistle tinctures.

Characterization of calendula flower, milk-thistle fruit, and passion flower tinctures by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS

As a part of an investigation of the content of herbal drug preparations and herbal medicinal products, we have investigated tinctures (prepared with 40:60 and 60:40 (%,v/v) ethanolwater) of calendular flower, milk-thistle fruit, and passion flower, which are, respectively, widely used for their anti-inflammatory properties, to treat hepatic injuries, and to treat tension and difficulty falling asleep. The aim of this work was to evaluate the flavonoid content, because flavonoids are the active constituents or markers of these herbal drugs, and to establish the best solvent for the extraction of the constituents. The findings reported herein both confirm the presence of several flavonoids previously identified in these herbal drugs and report the presence of others not previously described and identified here for the first time. In general the flavonol content was highest in 60% tinctures. A rapid, reversed-phase (RP) HPLC assay was developed and validated and enabled good separation of all classes of flavonoids including flavones, flavonols, flavanonols, and flavanolignans. Aglycones and mono, di, and triglycosides (bothO-andC-derivatives) of the flavonoids are also easily and satisfactorily separated. This method is thus proposed for the analysis of other herbal drugs or herbal drug preparations in which flavonoids are the active constituents or markers.

The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines

Part One: Introduction. Part Two: Monographs. Complete List of Monographs by Approval Status. Approved Herbs. Approved Component Characteristics. Approved Fixed Combinations. Unapproved Herbs. Unapproved Component Characteristics. Unapproved Fixed Combinations. Part Three: Therapeutic Indexes. Uses and Indications of Approved Herbs. Contraindications of Approved Herbs. Side Effects of Approved Herbs. Side Effects of Unapproved Herbs. Pharmacological Actions of Approved Herbs. Pharmacological Actions of Unapproved Herbs. Interactions of Herbs with Conventional Drugs. Duration of Administration for Approved Herbs. Part Four: Chemical and Taxonomic Indexes. Chemical Glossary and Index. Taxonomic Cross Reference: By English Common Name By Botanical Name By Pharmacopeial Name. Part Five: European Regulatory Literature. Excerpts from the German Pharmacopoeia: Hawthorn fluidextract, Hawthorn leaf with flower, Horse Chestnut seed Horse Chestnut seed standardized extract, Lemon Balm, Milk Thistle Fruit. Excerpts from European Pharmacopeia: Extracts, Powders, Tinctures, Witch Hazel leaf, German Camomile flower, Senna leaf, Alexandrian Senna Pods, Tinnevelly Senna Pods, Valerian root. European Economic Community (ECC) Standards for Quality of Herbal Remedies. Part Six: Appendix. Abbreviations and Symbols. Weights and Measures. German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) Numbers and Publication Dates of Commission E Monographs. List of European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) Monographs. List of World Health Organisation (WHO) Monographs. General Glossary. General References. General Index. Addendum Contraindications of Unapproved Herbs. Errata.