Milk Thistle Seeds Research Articles

Extraction of Silymarin Complex from Milk Thistle (Silybummarianaum) Seeds and Study its Effect on the Liver Functions and some Antioxidants in Rats

This study included extraction of silymarin complex from milk thistle seeds and study the effect of different concentrations of this complex on the liver functions and levels of some antioxidants in rats exposed to liver injury induced byethanol, then study the effect of these concentrations on the repair of liver injury induced by ethanol by evaluating the hepatic pathology of different animal groups. Sixty male rats with the age of 3-4 months were divided into 6 groups: Group (1) control which received drinking tap water, group (2) treated with 5% ethanol in drinking water, group (3) treated with 5% ethanol and 1 mg silymarin complex by oral dose once daily, group (4) treated with 5% ethanol and 2 mg silymarin complex by oral dose once daily, group (5) treated with 5% ethanol and 4 mg silymarin complex by oral dose once daily, group (6) treated with 5% ethanol and 8 mg silymarin complex by oral dose once daily, by the end of the experimental period of 3 weeks all animals groups were killed and collection of blood samples and liver tissues for the measuring of liver functions parameters and some antioxidants in blood, and processing the histological examination of liver. Treatment with ethanol revealed a significant prolongation of the coagulation time and a significant increase of Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) enzymes activity, total and direct bilirubin, malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite radical and xanthine oxidase activity and a significant decrease of albumin, Vit. C, Vit. E, glutathione and ceruloplasmin levels in serum comparing with the control group (P < 0.05). Different concentrations of silymarin complex have different effects on the protection from the liver injury induced by ethanol, and return these parameters to about normal ranges. Concentrations of 1 and 2 mg of silymarin complex can reduce the fatty changes induced by ethanol, while the concentrations of 4 and 8 mg led to reduce the necrosis and inflammation in addition to fatty changes.

Silymarin as Supportive Treatment in Liver Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Silymarin, an extract from milk thistle seeds, has been used for centuries to treat hepatic conditions. Preclinical data indicate that silymarin can reduce oxidative stress and consequent cytotoxicity, thereby protecting intact liver cells or cells not yet irreversibly damaged. Eurosil 85® is a proprietary formulation developed to maximize the oral bioavailability of silymarin. Most of the clinical research on silymarin has used this formulation. Silymarin acts as a free radical scavenger and modulates enzymes associated with the development of cellular damage, fibrosis and cirrhosis. These hepatoprotective effects were observed in clinical studies in patients with alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including patients with cirrhosis. In a pooled analysis of trials in patients with cirrhosis, silymarin treatment was associated with a significant reduction in liver-related deaths. Moreover, in patients with diabetes and alcoholic cirrhosis, silymarin was also able to improve glycemic parameters. Patients with drug-induced liver injuries were also successfully treated with silymarin. Silymarin is generally very well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events and no treatment-related serious adverse events or deaths reported in clinical trials. For maximum benefit, treatment with silymarin should be initiated as early as possible in patients with fatty liver disease and other distinct liver disease manifestations such as acute liver failure, when the regenerative potential of the liver is still high and when removal of oxidative stress, the cause of cytotoxicity, can achieve the best results.

Green production of silybin and isosilybin by merging metabolic engineering approaches and enzymatic catalysis

Silymarin extracted from milk thistle seeds, is used for treating hepatic diseases. Silybin and isosilybin are its main components, and synthesized from coupling of taxifolin and coniferyl alcohol. Here, the biosynthetic pathways of taxifolin and coniferyl alcohol were reconstructed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the first time. To alleviate substantial burden caused by a great deal of genetic manipulation, expression of the enzymes (e.g. ZWF1, TYR1 and ARO8) playing multiple roles in the relevant biosynthetic pathways was selectively optimized. The strain YT1035 overexpressing seven heterologous enzymes and five native enzymes and the strain YC1053 overexpressing seven heterologous enzymes and four native enzymes, respectively produce 336.8 mg/L taxifolin and 201.1 mg/L coniferyl alcohol. Silybin and isosilybin are synthesized from taxifolin and coniferyl alcohol under catalysis of APX1t (the truncated milk thistle peroxidase), with a yield of 62.5%. This study demonstrates an approach for producing silybin and isosilybin from glucose for the first time.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of combined milk thistle and fenugreek seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.

Background and Aim:Despite the availability of antidiabetic drugs, they are not free from associated adverse side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of oral administration of seeds from two medicinal plants: (1) Milk thistle and (2) fenugreek.Materials and Methods:Plant seeds were washed in distilled water and ground with a coffee grinder. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in 20 male albino rats. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Group 1 (n=10), diabetic rats fed with 0.5 g/kg milk thistle and 2 g/kg fenugreek seeds per day and (2) Group 2 (n=10), diabetic rats fed standard rodent food for 4 weeks.Results:Oral administration of milk thistle and fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvement in body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, this ameliorative effect was significantly elevated with respect to blood glucose (155.00±9.70 mg/dL vs. 427.50±5.70 mg/dL; p<0.001), HbA1c (5.5±0.19% vs. 13.65±1.77%; p<0.001), cholesterol (281.50±10.95 mg/dL vs. 334.30±6.80 mg/dL; p<0.001), triglyceride (239.60±6.87 mg/dL vs. 284.20±9.95 mg/dL; p<0.01), and body weight (265.30±8.10 g vs. 207.40±11.4 g; p<0.01) as compared with non-treated diabetic rats.Conclusion:Milk thistle and fenugreek seeds possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties and could be used as natural compounds that are suitable as parent compounds for the development of new antidiabetic drugs.

Total phenolic content, free radical scavenging capacity, and anti-cancer activity of silymarin

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds are a good source of dietary polyphenols. The bioactive component of milk thistle seeds, silymarin, contains flavonolignans including silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, isosilychristin, and silydiain along with the flavonol taxifolin. Silymarin is used traditionally as a natural herbal medicine with minimal side effects. Structurally, each silymarin component possesses phenolic hydroxyl groups and thus works as an antioxidant. In addition to free radical scavenging capacities, silymarin’s anti-cancer activities were reported for many different types of cancers including bladder, breast, colon, gastric, kidney, lung, oral, ovarian, prostate, and skin. The current review will discuss silymarin’s chemical components, total phenolic content, free radical scavenging capacities, and anti-cancer activities.

Formation of consumer value of cottage cheese prolonged shelf life when using flour from milk Thistle seeds spotted

The strategy for improving the quality of food products in the Russian Federation until 2030 determines the trend towards improving the diet of the country's population through the production of new types of food products enriched with valuable food additives. According to the results of a comprehensive study, the addition of flour from milk thistle seeds to soft curd (1.0–2.5 %) makes it possible to obtain a product of high consumer value. Flour from the seeds of milk thistle, as a source of flavolignans, helps to increase the nutritional value of cottage cheese soft unpressurized Packed 5% fat with an increase in protein content by 0.11–0.24%, fat by 0.06–0.12%, carbohydrates – by 0.13–0.28% and silymarin – up to 3.39–7.26 mg/100 g of product and prolongation of shelf life up to 8 days. Acidity and microbiological indicators correspond to the established level. Enriched cottage cheese is soft with a mass fraction of flour from milk thistle seeds of 1.0 and 2.5%, combining animal components (cottage cheese as a source of protein and beneficial microflora) and vegetable (flour from milk thistle seeds as a source of silymarin), is an integral food biosystem that complies with safety requirements in accordance with TR TS 033/2013 “On the safety of milk and dairy products” and provides improved consumer properties of a food product for various categories of the country's population (healthy people and those in the rice group) and of different ages, at the same time does not apply to specialized products.

The Impact of Drought Stress on Antioxidant Responses and Accumulation of Flavonolignans in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn).

Biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonolignans in plants are influenced by different environmental conditions. Biosynthesis and accumulation of silymarin in milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) were studied under drought stress with respect to the antioxidant defense system at the physiological and gene expression level. The results revealed a reduction in leaf chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and glutathione contents. In contrast, H2O2, proline, and antioxidative enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), were increased. These results confirmed that milk thistle undergoes oxidative stress under drought stress. Furthermore, transcription levels of APX, SOD, CAT, 1-Cys-Prx, and PrxQ were significantly increased in milk thistle under drought stress. Overall this suggests that protection against reactive oxygen species and peroxidation reactions in milk thistle are provided by enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Flavonolignans from milk thistle seeds after different drought treatments were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and showed that severe drought stress enhanced the accumulation of silymarin and its components compared with seeds from the control (100% water capacity). Silybin is the major silymarin component and the most bioactive ingredient of the milk thistle extract. Silybin accumulation was the highest among all silymarin components in seeds obtained from drought-stressed plants. The expression of the chalcone synthase (CHS) genes (CHS1, CHS2, and CHS3), which are associated with the silybin biosynthetic pathway, was also increased during drought stress. These results indicated that milk thistle exhibits tolerance to drought stress and that seed derived from severe drought-stressed plants had higher levels of silymarin.

Effect of organic coats with superabsorbent polymers on improving the germination and early vigor Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seeds under salinity stress

Salinity is a major environmental stress negatively influencing germination and seedling establishment in a wide variety of crops. The objective of this study was to use the organic materials with superabsorbents to improve the emergence rate and seedling traits of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) under salinity stress. A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in outdoor pots. Treatments included: organic coats at two levels (C1= peat moss and C2= vermicompost), superabsorbent polymers at seven levels (A1= without superabsorbent, A2-A4= coats with 2, 4, and 6 g superabsorbent of A200 per kg organic material, and A5-A7= coats with 2, 4, and 6 g superabsorbent of F1 per kg organic material), and salinity (S) stress at five levels (0, -2, -4, -6, and -8 bar). Results showed that organic material and the type and amount of superabsorbent significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected emergence, emergence rate, plant vigor index, shoot dry weight, leaf area, specific leaf area, relative water content, and total chlorophyll. Application of superabsorbent polymers with organic material reduced salinity stress in the primary growth stage of Milk thistle. Generally superabsorbent A200 is more effective than superabsorbent F1 and vermicompost coats better are than peat moss coats.

Profile of Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Phytosterols and Polyphenols in Mediterranean Oils (Argan Oils, Olive Oils, Milk Thistle Seed Oils and Nigella Seed Oil) and Evaluation of their Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activities.

The effects of vegetable oils on human health depend on their components. Therefore, their profiles of lipid nutrients and polyphenols were determined. To establish and compare the fatty acid, tocopherol, phytosterol and polyphenol profiles of Mediterranean oils: cosmetic and dietary argan oils (AO; Morocco: Agadir, Berkane); olive oils (OO; Morocco, Spain, Tunisia); milk thistle seed oils (MTSO; Tunisia: Bizerte, Sousse, Zaghouane); nigella seed oil (NSO). The biochemical profiles were determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry as required. The antioxidant and cytoprotective activities were evaluated with the KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres) and the fluorescein diacetate tests on nerve cells treated with 7-ketocholesterol (7KC). The fatty acid profile revealed high linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) content in AO, OO, MTSO and NSO. The highest levels of oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) were found in AO and OO. The tocopherol profile showed that Agadir AO contained the highest amount of α-tocopherol, also present at high level in MTSO and Tunisian OO; Berkane AO was rich in γ-tocopherol. The phytosterol profile indicated that β-sitosterol was predominant in the oils, except AO; spinasterol was only present in AO. Polyphenol profiles underlined that OO was the richest in polyphenols; hydroxytyrosol was only found in OO; few polyphenols were detected in AO. The oils studied have antioxidant activities, and all of them, except NSO, prevented 7KC-induced cell death. The antioxidant characteristics of AO were positively correlated with procatechic acid and compestanol levels. Based on their biochemical profiles, antioxidant and cytoprotective characteristics, AO, OO, and MTSO are potentially beneficial to human health.

Restraining the multidrug efflux transporter STY4874 of Salmonella Typhi by reserpine and plant extracts.

Efflux-mediated multidrug resistance is a well-known phenomenon facilitated by multidrug resistant (MDR) transporters. One of the approaches to counteract efflux-mediated resistance is the use of MDR pump inhibitors, and thus be used in combination with the conventional antibiotics to treat deadly diseases like typhoid fever. We have previously reported that STY4874, an efflux transporter of Salmonella serotype Typhi, exhibited promising characteristics as MDR pump. In this study, we aimed to get an insight into possible STY4874 inhibitors of plant origin. STY4874 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and extracts from pomegranate peel, milk thistle seeds and reserpine, a synthetic plant alkaloid, were screened for inhibition of ciprofloxacin efflux. The extracts of milk thistle seeds and reserpine when incubated with ciprofloxacin showed statistically significant STY4874-mediated inhibitory activity, rendering the efflux pump inactive and hence early growth inhibition of host cells compared with cells expressing efflux pump and incubated only with ciprofloxacin. This efflux pump inhibitory activity was further confirmed by time-kill experiments. This study is the first to report on efflux pump inhibition of S. Typhi STY4874 and results can be extended towards its close homologues such as MdfA and MdtM from E. coli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Understanding and combating resistance governed by multidrug efflux transporters is an ongoing research intensive area, affecting treatment of various nosocomial and endemic/epidemic infections. Confronting drug resistance requires that inhibitors debilitating the underlying mechanisms should be included in combination therapy. One such example is the prescription of clavulanic acid as combination therapy with amoxicillin, collectively called as co-amoxiclav to combat β-lactamase-mediated resistance. However, research related to finding the inhibitors of efflux transporters, the resistance mechanism distinct from β-lactamase mediated resistance is at an early stage. The current study finds that plant-derived inhibitors can be an option towards restraining efflux-mediated resistance.

Cross Talk Between TGF-β and JAK Expressions and Nepherotoxicity Induced by Tetrachloromethane: Role of Phytotherapy.

The aim of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of milk thistle seeds (Mth) in combination with Taraxacum officinale (Tof) and/or Camellia sinensis (Csin) against tetrachloromethane (Tcm) renotoxicity in rats. Tetrachloromethane was injected in a single dose, followed by 1-month treatments with Mth, Tof, and Csin alone or in combination. Serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels were significantly increased matched with the control group. Masson trichrome stain revealed increase in the deposition of fibrous tissue in the interstitium between the tubules and the renal corpuscles. Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney tissues revealed that Tcm induced an increase in the immune response of tumor growth factor β (TGF-β) and Janus kinase (JAK) protein expressions and cysteine–aspartic acid protease 3 (caspase 3), while B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) was downregulated. Treatment with the antioxidants in question either alone or in combination ameliorated all kidney function parameters and showed mild immune reactivity toward TGF-β and JAK protein expressions in blood vessels and glomeruli in the kidney tissues and downregulated caspase 3 and activated Bcl2 protein expression. The combination regimen of the 3 antioxidants showed the most significant renoprotective effect. This was also confirmed histopathologically. It was concluded that the antioxidant mixture is considered as a promising candidate toward renal dysfunction and immune reactivity induced by Tcm and other toxicants.

Milk Thistle Seed Extract Favorably Affects Lactation and Development of Mammary Gland in Female Rats

Milk thistle seed extract (Silbanummarianum), is a mixture of flavonolignans. The main active ingredients in S. marianum are silybin (silibinin), sylichrisitn, and silydianin, commonly referred to collectively as Sylimarin. Studies showed that Silymarin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Seventy-two pregnant female Wister rats were randomly assigned to 3 study groups (24 rats in each group). Group 1, or a control group (C group), received drinking water daily for 14 days from the 8th day of gestation until the delivery. Group 2 (M) and Group 3 (S) received Metoclopramide (5mgkgday) and S. marianum seed extract (200 mgkgday), respectively, for 14 days. Dams’ body weights were monitored throughout the pregnancy. The weights of the newborns in the litter (which previously adjusted to 8 offsprings) were measured on the first day of parturition, and 8 dams from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed. Pregnant female rats in (S) group had litter of significantly higher body weight and increase serum prolactin level in pregnant female rats (p< 0.05). Milk thistle seed extract led to a marked hyperplasia in mammary gland tissue, with strong expression of prolactin receptors. Wister ratsinS. marianum and Metoclopramide groups showed significant increase in serum prolactin levels, had heavier offsprings, and histological and immunohistochemistry changes as compared to the animals that stopped receiving the treatment in the same group (p<0.05). We concluded that S. marianum enhances milk production and mammary gland development (galactogogues effect).

Formulation Strategies for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Silymarin: The State of the Art.

Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignan and flavonoid polyphenolic compounds extractable from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-viral activities potentially useful in the treatment of several liver disorders, such as chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Equally promising are the effects of silymarin in protecting the brain from the inflammatory and oxidative stress effects by which metabolic syndrome contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. However, although clinical trials have proved that silymarin is safe at high doses (>1500 mg/day) in humans, it suffers limiting factors such as low solubility in water (<50 μg/mL), low bioavailability and poor intestinal absorption. To improve its bioavailability and provide a prolonged silymarin release at the site of absorption, the use of nanotechnological strategies appears to be a promising method to potentiate the therapeutic action and promote sustained release of the active herbal extract. The purpose of this study is to review the different nanostructured systems available in literature as delivery strategies to improve the absorption and bioavailability of silymarin.

Therapeutic Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L) Seeds on Carbon Tetrachloride - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Therapeutic Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L) Seeds on Carbon Tetrachloride - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Morphological, chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Egypt grown wild milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seeds and evaluates their oil in fast frying process comparing with some vegetable oils

Morphological, chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Egypt grown wild milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seeds and evaluates their oil in fast frying process comparing with some vegetable oils

Dermal Delivery of Selected Polyphenols from Silybum marianum. Theoretical and Experimental Study.

Silymarin is a well-known standardized extract from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L., Asteraceae) with a pleiotropic effect on human health, including skin anticancer potential. Detailed characterization of flavonolignans properties affecting interactions with human skin was of interest. The partition coefficients log Pow of main constitutive flavonolignans, taxifolin and their respective dehydro derivatives were determined by a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method and by mathematical (in silico) approaches in n-octanol/water and model lipid membranes. These parameters were compared with human skin intake ex vivo. The experimental log Pow values for individual diastereomers were estimated for the first time. The replacement of n-octanol with model lipid membranes in the theoretical lipophilicity estimation improved the prediction strength. During transdermal transport, all the studied compounds permeated the human skin ex vivo; none of them reached the acceptor liquid. Both experimental/theoretical tools allowed the studied polyphenols to be divided into two groups: low (taxifolin, silychristin, silydianin) vs. high (silybin, dehydrosilybin, isosilybin) lipophilicity and skin intake. In silico predictions can be usefully applied for estimating general lipophilicity trends, such as skin penetration or accumulation predictions. However, the theoretical models cannot yet provide the dermal delivery differences of compounds with very similar physico-chemical properties; e.g., between diastereomers.

Microwave pretreatment as a promising strategy for increment of nutraceutical content and extraction yield of oil from milk thistle seed

In this study, seeds of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) as a biomedical plant were pretreated with microwaves (800 W) for 2 and 4 min, to evaluate the process of intensifying oil extraction efficiency, physicochemical properties, nutraceuticals content, and fatty acids profile of milk thistle seeds oil extracted from Iranian ecotype, Khoreslo. Results showed that microwave pretreatment of Milk thistle seed increased the oil extraction yield (by 6%), total phenolic content (by 12.2%), phytosterols (by 25%), and tocopherols (by 37.5%) of the oil obtained by solvent. Some physicochemical properties of seed oil such as chlorophyll content (0.55–1.73 mg pheophytin/kg oil) and saponification value (179–187 mg KOH/g oil) increased, but acid value (4.24−2.16 mg KOH/g oil), peroxide value (5.11−2.09 meqO2/kg oil), iodine value (107−99 g I2/100 g oil), and the poly unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) ratio of all samples decreased by treatment with microwaves. Moreover, the α, β, γ-, δδ -tocopherols, and phytosterols content such as cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, cleroesterol, β-sitosterol, and Δ7-sterol of milk thistle seed oils increased by microwaves treatment. In conclusion, the results indicated that microwave pretreatment is a promising strategy for amplification of oil extraction yield and the content of nutraceuticals in obtained oil from milk thistle seeds.

Silymarin prevents acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity via up-regulation of the glutathione conjugation capacity in mice

Our previous study showed that silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans extracted from seeds of milk thistle, modulated hepatic transsulfuration reactions, leading to an increase in glutathione (GSH) synthesis. To investigate its pharmacological significance, we determined the effect of silymarin on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. Silymarin administration to mice prevented the induction of APAP-hepatotoxicity as measured by changes in plasma enzyme activities, hepatic lipid peroxidation and formation of nitrotyrosine protein-adducts. Depletion of hepatic GSH was inhibited significantly. Plasma APAP, APAP-glucuronide or APAP-sulfate level was not changed, but APAP-GSH, APAP-cysteine and APAP-N-acetylcysteine levels were elevated. Silymarin treatment did not induce proteins or activities of Cyp2e1, Cyp1a2, and Cyp3a11, the major cytochrome P450 subtypes responsible for the metabolic activation of APAP to a reactive metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine. The results suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin is associated with an increase in the metabolic disposition of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine via up-regulation of the GSH conjugation capacity.

Phytochemical Content, Oxidative Stability, and Nutritional Properties of Unconventional Cold-pressed Edible Oils

Plant oils are a good source of compounds that decrease the risk of some diseases. Growing consumer awareness has led to more interest in natural cold-pressed plant oils, which are often considered functional foods. Many unconventional edible plant oils are available on the market, but their quality and composition are often unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional value and quality of sixteen unconventional cold-pressed edible oils. The acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, phytosterol content, and tocochromanol content were measured for both fresh and stored oils. The nutritional quality indexes were also calculated. Cluster analysis of all factors showed that the oils fell into two groups: the first contained argan oil, pine oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado fruit oil, and macadamia nut oil; these had high levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and low amounts of phytosterols and tocochromanols. The second group included oil from dill seeds, milk thistle seeds, parsley seeds, watermelon seeds, safflower, poppy seeds, black cumin seeds, hemp, blackcurrant seeds, borage, and wheat germ. The highest tocochromanol and phytosterol content were observed in wheat germ and blackcurrant seed oil, and the lowest in black cumin and dill seed oil.

Cytoprotective Activities of Milk Thistle Seed Oil Used in Traditional Tunisian Medicine on 7-Ketocholesterol and 24S-Hydroxycholesterol-Induced Toxicity on 158N Murine Oligodendrocytes.

The Asteraceae family is economically very important, because many of these plants are grown mainly for their food value, such as lettuce (Lactuca), chicory (Cichorium), and sunflower (Heliantus aminus). One of the typical properties of this family, which includes milk thistle (Sylibum marianum), is the richness of the oil in various compounds (flavonoids, alkaloids, tocopherols, and unsaturated fatty acids). Currently, and for the coming decades, age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, are a major public health problem. Preventing their appearance or opposing their evolution is a major objective. In this context, the cytoprotective activities of milk thistle seed oil produced in Tunisia were studied on the 158N model using 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) and 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S) as cytotoxic agents. 7KC and 24S were used because they can be increased in the brain and body fluids of patients with major age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In order to evaluate the cytoprotective properties of milk thistle seed oil, complementary techniques of microscopy, flow cytometry, and biochemistry were used. The chemical composition of milk thistle seed oil has also been determined by various chromatography techniques. Milk thistle seed oils from different area of Tunisia are rich in tocopherols and are strongly antioxidant according to various biochemical tests (KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)). The main fatty acids are linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and oleic acid (C18:1 n-9). The main polyphenols identified are homovanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and apigenin, with a predominance of vanillic acid. On 158N cells, milk thistle seed oil attenuates the cytotoxicity of 7KC and 24S including: loss of cell adhesion, increased plasma membrane permeability, mitochondrial dysfunction, overproduction of reactive oxygen species, induction of apoptosis, and autophagy. The attenuation of the cytotoxicity of 7KC and 24S observed with the milk thistle seed oil is in the order of that observed with α-tocopherol used as a positive control. In the presence of nigella seed oil, considered potentially cytotoxic, no cytoprotective effects were observed. Given the chemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, and cytoprotective activities of milk thistle seed oil, our results highlight the potential benefit of this oil for human health.