Fruits Of Milk Thistle Research Articles

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.

Influence of milk thistle, methifene and sylimevit on the morphological parameters of laying hens in experimental chronic cadmium toxicosis

One of the most pressing problems of modern science is the systematic study of natural processes, forecasting and complex assessment of changes in the environment under the influence of anthropogenic load. Blood composition is a relatively constant indicator, which is at the same time one of the labile systems of laying hens. Physiological processes that occur in the body, largely affect the quality of blood. Hematological studies make it possible to study in more detail the effect of cadmium on the body of chickens, on the basis of which a more specific development of the scheme of treatment and prevention of cadmium toxicosis in poultry is possible. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of milk thistle, methifene and silymevitis on the morphological indices of laying hens in the development of chronic cadmium toxicosis. 32 laying hens, 78 weeks of age, were selected for the study. Four experimental groups were formed: control and three experimental. The control group (C) chickens and the three experimental groups were cadmium sulfate 4 mg/kg body weight in water. The chickens of the experimental group E1 with feed were fed the fruits of milk thistle spotted at a dose of 2.0 g/kg of feed once a day for 30 days. The chickens of the E2 experimental group were fed methifene at a dose of 0.28 g/kg of feed once a day for 30 days with feed. The chickens of the E3 experimental group were fed a sylimevit at a dose of 0.36 g/kg of feed once a day for 30 days. Drinking cadmium sulphate to laying hens at a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight contributed to a decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and an increase in leukocyte counts. With cadmium load of laying hens, milk thistle, methifene and sylimevit have a positive effect on the morphological parameters of the blood. In chronic cadmium toxicosis in laying hens, the best normalizing effect on the morphological parameters of the blood of experimental chickens is sylimevit, compared with methifene and milk thistle.

Biotransformation of Silymarin Flavonolignans by Human Fecal Microbiota.

Flavonolignans occur typically in Silybum marianum (milk thistle) fruit extract, silymarin, which contains silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, silydianin, and their 2,3-dehydroderivatives, together with other minor flavonoids and a polymeric phenolic fraction. Biotransformation of individual silymarin components by human microbiota was studied ex vivo, using batch incubations inoculated by fecal slurry. Samples at selected time points were analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry. The initial experiment using a concentration of 200 mg/L showed that flavonolignans are resistant to the metabolic action of intestinal microbiota. At the lower concentration of 10 mg/L, biotransformation of flavonolignans was much slower than that of taxifolin, which was completely degraded after 16 h. While silybin, isosilybin, and 2,3-dehydrosilybin underwent mostly demethylation, silychristin was predominantly reduced. Silydianin, 2,3-dehydrosilychristin and 2,3-dehydrosilydianin were reduced, as well, and decarbonylation and cysteine conjugation proceeded. No low-molecular-weight phenolic metabolites were detected for any of the compounds tested. Strong inter-individual differences in the biotransformation profile were observed among the four fecal-material donors. In conclusion, the flavonolignans, especially at higher (pharmacological) doses, are relatively resistant to biotransformation by gut microbiota, which, however, depends strongly on the individual structures of these isomeric compounds, but also on the stool donor.

Hepatic protein synthesis and morphological parameters in blood of rats under oxidative stress and action of feed additive Butaselmevit-plus

The intensive development of animal husbandry at the present stage requires new approaches to organizing the feeding of farm animals and the introduction of modern feed additives, which are not normally used purely as feed, but are deliberately added to feed or water to improve their quality, increase productivity and animal welfare. To prevent the development of oxidative stress in animals, we used the feed additive "Butaselmevit-plus", which in its composition contains the fruits of milk thistle, selenium, methionine and vitamins A, E and D3. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of feed additive Butaselmevit-plus on blood morphological parameters and protein synthesis of rat liver under tetrachloromethane poisoning. For research, we used Wistar male rats, which were divided into three groups of 20 animals each. Control rats were intact. The first and second experimental group of rats were administered tetrachloromethane. Experimental intoxication in animals was performed by twice (after 48 h) intragastric administration of tetrachloromethane at a dose of 0.1 ml per 100 g of rat body weight in the form of a 50% oil solution. Experimental group R2 was fed a feed additive of Butaselmevit-plus for a dose of 0.1 g per 100 g of body weight together with the feed for experimental toxicosis for 30 days. On the basis of the conducted researches positive effect of feed additive "Butaselmevit-plus" on the organism of rats, which were intoxicated with tetrachloromethane, is shown, which is shown by normalization of hematological parameters and protein synthesis of liver function. Restoration of hematopoietic function of bone marrow of rats by intoxication with tetrachloromethane is due to the fact that the feed additive "Butaselmevit-plus" contains in its composition fruits thistle, which have a high level of vitamins A and K, and trace elements, namely: Ferum, Cuprum and Cobalt that are directly involved in hematopoiesis. When feeding Butaselmevit-plus as feed supplement, the number of red blood cells in the blood of the second experimental group of rats was higher than that of the first experimental group, but the control values reached only on the 30th day of the experiment. When using the feed additive Butaselmevit-plus in rats under conditions of oxidative stress development, the leukocyte count decreased to the optimum level.

Identification of Milk Thistle Shatter‐Resistant Mutant Lines with Altered Lignocellulosic Profile for the Complete Domestication of the Species

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] is used as a medicinal plant for the production of silymarin. Other than silymarin, the fruit also contains valuable compounds such as oil and protein, and the lignocellulosic biomass of this species has been positively evaluated for biogas, syngas, and energy production. Despite these positive characteristics, the plant is still marked by traits that are typical of undomesticated species. Specifically, fruit shattering at maturity severely hampers its possible utilization as a crop. Therefore, for the first time, an ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis program was implemented to identify milk thistle lines with reduced fruit shattering, and its effectiveness was evaluated through genome‐wide analysis. The candidate nonshattering lines were multiplied up to M6 for the validation of the favorable traits. The lignocellulosic biomass of the selected shatter resistant lines was analyzed according to compositional analysis. The natural milk thistle fruit dispersal mechanism was shown to be modulated by changing air relative humidity. Three vigorous, stable, shatter‐resistant lines were identified. This is the first report that describes milk thistle nonshattering lines. At this stage in the three lines, the morphological description and the compositional analysis of the lignocellulosic biomass indicated that shatter resistance was concomitant to changes in vegetative biomass structure and composition. This observation is compatible with the described natural fruit dispersal mechanism, and it is of interest for the design of new milk thistle crop ideotypes for the complete domestication of the species.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FRUIT AND OIL SILYBUM MARIANUM, GROWING IN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

The object of the study were the fruits of milk thistle spotted (Silybum marianum L.) and fatty oil obtained from them by supercritical fluid extraction of carbon dioxide.
 The aim of the study was to determine the chemical composition of fruits and fatty oil of milk thistle, growing in the Republic of Dagestan; to determine the quality and content of fatty acids in milk Thistle oil by gas-liquid chromatography with mass-selective detection. It is established that the fruits of Silybum marianum: contains 26±1% fatty oil and 3.4% of flavolignans; characterized by a low content of potassium, magnesium and calcium and a high content of microelements: iron, copper, zinc, chromium, strontium, manganese. The content of cadmium and lead in fruits does not exceed the MPC for medicinal plant raw materials. The indicators of oil quality from Thistle fruits are determined: the number of saponification is 187, the essential number is 183, the acid number is 4, the iodine number is 115 and the peroxide number is 2.7.
 It was found that the main components of the oil obtained by supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide are: linoleic (omega-6) 64±2%; oleic (omega-9) 23±1%; palmitic 7.7±0.4%; stearic 3.0±0.2%; arachinic 1.5±0.7% and myristic acid 0.17±0.06%. In the oil from the fruit of Silybum marianum discovered: potassium 13; calcium 0.5; iron 0.2; chromium 0.2; magnesium and sodium at 0.1 mg/kg.

Вплив кормової добавки “Бутаселмевіт-плюс” на показники крові щурів за умов отруєння тетрахлоретаном

The article presents the results of research on the influence of the feed additive “Butaselmevit Plus” on the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood in rats under condition of tetrachloromethane poisoning. In our work, we used the classic model of damage to hepatocyte subcellular membranes and the development of oxidative stress based on the use of tetrachloromethane. The research was carried out on white, sexually-mature, young male rats of the Wistar line, with a body weight of 180–200 g, which was kept on a standard ration of the Institute Vivarium of the State Scientific-Research Control Institute of Veterinary Preparations and Feed Additives. The animals were divided into three groups of 20 animals in each: 1st group (C) intact animals; Group 2 (R1) – rats, affected with tetrachloromethane; Group 3 (R2) – rats, affected with tetrachloromethane and who received the feed additive “Butaselmevit Plus”. Experimental intoxication of animals was carried out by two-time (after 48 h) of intragastric introduction of tetrachloromethane in a dose of 0.1 ml per 100 g of body weight of the rat in the form of 50% of the oil solution. In the being studied group R2 for experimental toxicosis, during 30 days fed a feed additive “Butaselmevit Plus” in a dose of 0.1 g per 100 g of body weight with food. The feed additive “Butaselmevit Plus” in its composition contains the fruits of blessed milk thistle (S. marianum), selenium, methionine and vitamins A, E and D3. It was established that under conditions of intoxication with tetrachloromethane the physiological level of hematological indices of the organism of the being studied animals is violated. This is indicated by a decrease in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin content, hemoglobin concentration in erythrocyte, increase in the number of leukocytes and hemoglobin in erythrocyte. At intoxicated animals also remained high indicative levels of creatinine, urea and bilirubin overall. On the basis of the conducted research, the positive influence of the feed additive “Butaselmevit Plus” on the organism of rats that were intoxicated with tetrachloromethane was shown, which is manifested by the normalization of hematological parameters and functional state of the liver.

Mechanisms of radioprotective and radiocorrective effects of dietary phytoadditive of milk thistle fruits

Mechanisms of radioprotective and radiocorrective effects of dietary phytoadditive of milk thistle fruits

INTENSIFICATION OF PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THICK EXTRACT OF MILK THISTLE FRUITS BY ULTRASONIC PROCESSING OF RAW MATERIALS

The aim. This article is devoted to the intensification of the production process of a thick extract of milk thistle fruits using ultrasonic processing of raw materials.Materials and methods.As an object of the study, the crushed milk thistle fruitss from Penza “Biokor” company were used. As the extractant, an aqueous solution of ethanol 70% vol. was used. For ultrasonic processing of plant materials and extractant, the installation “Bandelin SONOPULS HD 3200” was used, the ultrasound frequency was 20 kHz, the radiator power was 280 W, and the temperature was 25°С. The concentration of the extract was performed using a rotary evaporator RV-10 at the temperature of 60°C and a vacuum of 600–650 Mmhg to a residual moisture content of 25%. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the thick extract was carried out using spectrophotometry and chromatography. Quantitative analysis of the amount of flavolignans was performed on an SF-56 spectrophotometer. The separation of the flavolignan complex and the quantification of silibinin was performed on a liquid chromatograph “Agilent Technologies 1200 Infinity”.Results and discussion. During the study it was found out, that processing of the crushed milk thistle fruits by ultrasound at the soaking stage almost doubles the output of the flavoligan complex from medicinal plant materials. The maximum amount of flavolignans is extracted when the fruits of milk thistle and extractant are processed with ultrasound at the frequency of 20 kHz for 5 minutes. Thus the obtained thick extract of milk thistle fruits in the component composition contains both the target flavolignan complex (87.39%, silibinin – 24.36%), providing the hepatoprotective effect, and flavonoids – chlorogenic acid (1.69%) and dihydroquercetin (10.92%) exhibiting antioxidant activity. It was established that, according to the qualitative composition of flavolignans, the obtained thick extract corresponds to preparations based on milk thistle. Thus, for the first time, the method was proposed for obtaining a thick extract of milk thistle fruits using ultrasonic processing of raw materials and extractant at the soaking stage. The obtained thick extract is proposed to be used as an active pharmaceutical substance for the production of granules based on methionine and milk thistle flavolignans.Conclusion. The results of the experiments allow us to recommend obtaining a thick extract of the milk thistle fruits, using the stage of ultrasonic processing of raw materials and extractant for 5 minutes at the ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz.

Selective Synthesis of 3-O-Palmitoyl-Silybin, a New-to-Nature Flavonolignan with Increased Protective Action against Oxidative Damages in Lipophilic Media.

A selective acylation protocol using cerium chloride (CeCl3) as catalyst was applied to functionalize silybinin (1), a natural antioxidant flavonolignan from milk thistle fruit, in order to increase its solubility in lipophilic media while retaining its strong antioxidant activity. The selective esterification of 1 at the position 3-OH with a palmitate acyl chain leading to the formation of the 3-O-palmitoyl-silybin (2) was confirmed by both mass spectroscopy (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The antioxidant activity of 1 was at least retained and even increased with the CUPRAC assay designed to estimate the antioxidant activity of both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Finally, the 3-O-palmitoylation of 1, resulting in the formation of 2, also increased its anti-lipoperoxidant activity (i.e., inhibition of conjugated diene production) in two different lipophilic media (bulk oil and o/w emulsion) subjected to accelerated storage test.

Sulfated Metabolites of Flavonolignans and 2,3-Dehydroflavonolignans: Preparation and Properties.

Silymarin, an extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) fruits, is consumed in various food supplements. The metabolism of silymarin flavonolignans in mammals is complex, the exact structure of their metabolites still remains partly unclear and standards are not commercially available. This work is focused on the preparation of sulfated metabolites of silymarin flavonolignans. Sulfated flavonolignans were prepared using aryl sulfotransferase from Desulfitobacterium hafniense and p-nitrophenyl sulfate as a sulfate donor and characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) radical scavenging; ferric (FRAP) and Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) reducing activity; anti-lipoperoxidant potential; and effect on the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway were examined. Pure silybin A 20-O-sulfate, silybin B 20-O-sulfate, 2,3-dehydrosilybin-20-O-sulfate, 2,3-dehydrosilybin-7,20-di-O-sulfate, silychristin-19-O-sulfate, 2,3-dehydrosilychristin-19-O-sulfate, and silydianin-19-O-sulfate were prepared and fully characterized. Sulfated 2,3-dehydroderivatives were more active in FCR and FRAP assays than the parent compounds, and remaining sulfates were less active chemoprotectants. The sulfated flavonolignans obtained can be now used as authentic standards for in vivo metabolic experiments and for further research on their biological activity.

In vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity of silymarin on oral cancer.

Silymarin, a standardized extract from milk thistle fruits has been found to exhibit anti-cancer effects against various cancers. Here, we explored the anti-cancer activity of silymarin and its molecular target in human oral cancer in vitro and in vivo. Silymarin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HSC-4 oral cancer cells and promoted caspase-dependent apoptosis. A human apoptosis protein array kit showed that death receptor 5 may be involved in silymarin-induced apoptosis, which was also shown through western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Silymarin increased cleaved caspase-8 and truncated Bid, leading to accumulation of cytochrome c. In addition, silymarin activated death receptor 5/caspase-8 to induce apoptotic cell death in two other oral cancer cell lines (YD15 and Ca9.22). Silymarin also suppressed tumor growth and volume without any hepatic or renal toxicity in vivo. Taken together, these results provide in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the anti-cancer effect of silymarin and death receptor 5, and caspase-8 may be essential players in silymarin-mediated apoptosis in oral cancer.

ЖИРНОКИСЛОТНЫЙ СОСТАВ МАСЛА ПЛОДОВ РАСТОРОПШИ ПЯТНИСТОЙ, КУЛЬТИВИРУЕМОЙ В САМАРСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The fruits of milk thistle [(Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), Composite family] are widely used in medical practice as a hepatoprotective agent because they contain flavolignans. However, besides flavolignans, an important group of bioactive compounds of fruit is a fatty oil. The aim of the research was to study the fatty acid composition of milk thistle fruit oil by means of chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods. The object of the study was the oil obtained in the factory "Samaralektravy" from the fruits of milk thistle, cultivated industrially in the Samara region. It was identified 15 fatty acids. The main identified components were unsaturated linoleic (C18:2; 34.8 ± 3.0%) and oleic acids (C18:1; 25,7 ± 3,5%), and the saturated stearic (C18:0; 11,4 ± 1,0 %), palmitic (C16:0; 9,9 ± 0,2%), arachidic (C20: 0; 6,9 ± 0,6%) and behenic acids (C22:0; 3,8 ± 0,4%). The oil contained 61% unsaturated fatty acids and 39% saturated fatty acids. The gas chromatographic method can be useful for identification of a potential pharmaceutical substance "Milk thistle oil”.

Вплив бровітакокциду сукупно з плодами розторопші плямистої на стан імунної системи індиків за еймеріозної інвазії

The immune system provides resistance of the organism against bacterial and viral infections in the body of the poultry. In the intestinal mucosa of eymeria it was secrete metabolic products, that are toxic to various systems and tissues of turkeys. Eymeria, parasitizing in the gut, inhibit specific phase of immunity presented by antibodies (humoral type), reduce the activity of sensitized cells (cell type), slow down nonspecific phase of immunity, represented by various immune cells. The rapid and complete recovery of functional state of the immune system in turkeys, affected by eymeriozic invasion it was found if brovitatoxide was given if the aggregate of the fruits of milk thistle. Fruits contain group of flavius lignans named «Sylimaryn», acting immune stimulatory for the development of secondary immuno deficiencies state of body.

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ДОБАВКИ «СИЛІМАСК» ЗА ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО ТОКСИКОЗУ У ЩУРІВ

Chronic experimental poisoning of rats by carbon tetrachloride is accompanied by depression, reduced appetite, weak response to external stimuli. It has been shown a reduction of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood of experimental animals. Eosinophilia and neutrophilia also was observed in these rats. A decrease of functional state of liver is by inhibition of protein synthesis and detoxification functions and significant increased of activity of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase. The use of supplements for medicinal purposes«Sylimask» helped restore the functional state of the experimental rats. On the 30 day experiment, the animals found in the blood increase the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin. The presence in the composition of dietary supplements milled fruits of milk thistle, bee pollen and ascorbic acid provided an effective anti–inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective action on experimental hepatitis. Serum of rats by using biologically active supplements significantly increased serum total protein, including albumin, decreased activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The increase in blood catalase activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by a decrease in blood secondary and end products of oxidation by exposure «Sylimasku» is the result of activation of the drug enzymatic antioxidant system level. The use of for cure a preparation of comparison «Hepaton», which also contains in its composition the fruits milk thistle is a positive effect on chronic hepatitis B in the experimental rats. However, the impact of digital measurements was a less pronounced and the period of a full restoration of the functional state of animals longer.

Silybum marianum (milk thistle) products in Wilson’s disease: a treatment or a threat?

BackgroundSilybum marianum (milk thistle) or its active flavonolignan complex, silymarin is widely used in the treatment of liver diseases of toxic and viral origin, and also in Wilson’s disease to prevent chronic liver impairment. PurposeBased on the available data it is probable that milk thistle-based preparations include copper in significant concentration. The goal of this study was to assess the safety of different milk thistle preparations in the treatment of patients with Wilson’s disease. MethodsThe copper content of 15 milk thistle preparations was measured by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The products contained purified silymarin, crude milk thistle extract or the ground plant material. ResultsThe copper content of the daily doses of the analyzed preparations ranged between 0.01–114.18μg. Silymarin-based products had a lower copper content than preparations containing ground milk thistle fruits or the crude extract. ConclusionThe application of milk thistle products with a high copper content should be avoided for patients with Wilson’s disease.

Recent advances in the analysis of flavonolignans of Silybum marianum

Extracts of milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Asteraceae) have been recognized for centuries as remedies for liver and gallbladder disorders. The active constituents of milk thistle fruits are flavonolignans, collectively known as silymarin. Flavonolignans in S. marianum are structurally diverse, 23 constituents have been isolated from purple- and white-flowering variants. Flavonolignans have a broad spectrum of bioactivities and silymarin has been the subject of intensive research for its profound pharmacological activities. Silymarin is extracted from the seeds, commercialized in standardized form, and widely used in drugs and dietary supplements. The thorough analysis of silymarin, its constituents and silymarin-containing products has a key role in the quality control of milk thistle-based products. Due to the low concentration of analytes, especially pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies require more and more selective and sensitive, advanced techniques.The objective of the present review is to summarize the recent advances in the chemical analysis of S. marianum extracts, including the chemical composition, isolation and identification of flavonolignans, sample preparation, and methods used for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Various analytical approaches have been surveyed, and their respective advantages and limits are discussed.

Silybum marianum pericarp yields enhanced silymarin products

An improved method for the purification of silymarin, the flavonolignan complex from the fruits of milk thistle, Silybum marianum, is reported. The method enables a more efficient extraction of silymarin from the pericarp after it has been separated mechanically from the rest of the fruits. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was employed for each extraction procedure. Quantitation of the eight major silymarin components in the pericarp extract was compared to that of the whole fruit extract using two orthogonal analytical methods. The pericarp extract showed higher silymarin content (2.24-fold by HPLC and 2.12-fold by qHNMR) than whole fruit extract using acetone as an extraction solvent following defatting with hexane. Furthermore, the mg/g recovery of silymarin major components was not diminished by eliminating the hexane defatting step from the pericarp extraction procedure. The efficiencies of acetone, ethanol, and methanol as extraction solvents were compared. Methanol pericarp extract showed the highest content of the silymarin major components, 2.72-fold higher than an extract prepared from the whole fruits using acetone. Finally, all of the major silymarin components showed a higher w/w content in the pericarp extract than in a commercial extract.

Pharmacological Correction of the Results of Irradiation of the Parents for the Assimilation of Carbohydrates in the Small Intestine of Two Generations of their Offspring by the Help of Milk Thistle Fruits

Objective: The study of the assimilation of glucose and maltose in the small intestine of two generations of posterity of irradiated male rats received with a food the milled milk thistle fruits after irradiation. Methods: Exposition of male rats performed once by the help of telegamma-setting “AGAT-R1”, dose was 120 rad/min, field 20×20, distance from the source of irradiation to the field=75 cm, dose-0.5 Gy, exposure - 32 sec. Accumulating mucosa preparations (APS) produced by the method of Ugolev et al. APS incubated for 1 hour at t=37oC in the oxygenated medium. As the incubation medium were used solutions 10 mmol/l of glucose and 5 mmol/l of maltose that were made on the Ringer solution pH 7.4. In all incubation medium the bile was added. The concentration of free glucose and M-glucose formed due to the hydrolysis of maltose was determined using method described in ref. Colorimetrically on photoelectrocolorimeter–CFC- 2MP, λ=625 nm. The statistical processing of the obtained data was conducted using “Primer Biostatistics” software. Results: The 2nd generation of the offspring from the males, which received milk thistle in the food immediately after irradiation, showed the high activity of the transport system for the free glucose and system providing transport of M-glucose produced by the hydrolysis of maltose both. This activity is higher than in the corresponding groups of the 1st generation (p<0,0001) and higher than corresponding data in all experimental groups of 2nd generation (except only group of the posterity of the male rats got milk thistle fruits before irradiation). Conclusion: The use by predecessors of milk thistle after irradiation leads to the radio corrective effect on the systems of transport of glucose and maltose both exactly in second generation of their posterity.

Yield potential of Milk thistle production in south western Slovakia

Yield potential of Milk thistle production in south western Slovakia