Silybum Marianum Gaertn Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Properties of Borage Oil (Borago officinalis L.) and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn)

There is currently a growing interest in oils characterised by specific medicinal, cosmetic, or dietary properties. For this reason, the seeds of two plants, milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn) and borage (Borago officinalis L.), were studied by subjecting them to the process of cold pressing. The extracted oils were then examined in terms of their chemical composition and biological activity, and qualitatively analysed with the use of FTIR spectroscopy. The oils contained linoleic and octadecenoic acids in amounts of 47.84%, 35.31% (milk thistle oil) and 35.43%, 25.18% (borage oil). They were characterised by low water content, roughly 0.088% for thistle and 0.075% for borage, and simultaneously relatively high phosphorus content, reaching, respectively, 47.7 and 33.1 mg·kg−1. The mean peroxide value was 4.22 for milk thistle and 2.83 mmolO2·kg−1 for borage, and the acid number was 5.17 and 3.9 mgKOH·g−1, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy was used to conduct a qualitative analysis, which revealed slight discrepancies in intensity at 3005 cm−1, which confirmed differences in the content of fatty acids and oil pigments between the oils. The obtained results provided information on the applicability of the studied seeds and oils obtained therefrom as basic components of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products with potential health benefits.

Complete Chloroplast Genome of a Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Acc. ‘912036’

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) is a well-known medicinal plant which has been used for more than 2,000 years around the world. It produces silymarin, which cures the liver from hepatitis and toxin damages. In this study, a selfed and purified breeding line of the milk thistle from the Korean environment was used as a source of chloroplast genome construction. It showed high concentration of silybin B (3.50 mg/g) in its dried seeds. The complete chloroplast genome of S. marianum acc. ‘912036’ is 152,556 bp in length and G+C content is 37.69%. A total of 87 protein coding genes with 104 exons were annotated. Chloroplast genomes of five accessions from different countries were compared with that of ‘912036’, and no sequence polymorphism among them was identified. Thus, the chloroplast genome from this study can be used to develop S. marianum-specific DNA markers when compared with other diverse S. marianum accessions and Asteraceae species.

Vermicompost improves the physiological and biochemical responses of blessed thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) and peppermint (Mentha haplocalyx Briq) to salinity stress

In this study, we examined whether vermicompost enhances a plant’s tolerance to salinity. We analyzed the physiological responses of the aerial parts and roots of the herbal stress-resistant plants blessed thistle and peppermint with NaCl and cow manure vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer. Salinity greatly enhanced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline in the aerial parts and roots of the two species, but did not affect chlorophyll content. The K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios and the total soluble protein content were decreased in the aerial parts and roots under salinity conditions in both species. Under normal conditions, vermicompost enhanced plant growth and increased the K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios and total soluble protein content while inorganic fertilizer treatment increased the total soluble protein content and proline content in both species. Proline content in both species was greatly decreased under vermicompost treatment than inorganic treatment under normal conditions. Furthermore, under high salinity conditions, vermicompost treatment significantly reduced the MDA content and increased total soluble protein content and the K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios than stress-treated plants. Vermicompost had complex effects on the antioxidant enzyme activities of plants grown under high salinity treatment. Our results show vermicompost mitigates the effects of salinity stress.

Protective Effect of Silybum marianum and Silibinin on Endothelial Cells Submitted to High Glucose Concentration.

Silybum marianum Gaertn. (Milk thistle) has been used since ancient times for the relief of liver diseases characterized by intense oxidative stress such as inflammatory liver disease and cirrhosis. As oxidative stress by hyperglycemia is involved in micro- and macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes, our aim was to assess the protective effect of milk thistle seed extract against oxidative stress induced by a high glucose concentration on endothelial cells (EA.hy926 cells). High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis shows flavonolignans silychristin and silibinin A and B as major components. No cell toxicity was observed for concentrations up to 100 µg/mL of milk thistle extract for 24 h. Concentrations of 5-25 µg/mL of the extract were used to assess the protective effect on EA.hy926 cells treated with 30 mM glucose for 24 h. Oxidative damage by 30 mM glucose was shown as a significant decrease in reduced glutathione and a significant increase in protein carbonyls and antioxidant enzyme activities. S. marianum extract recovered reduced glutathione and balanced the elevated carbonyls and enzyme activity. Silibinin alone also recovered reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. S. marianum protects endothelial cell against oxidative damage by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced glutathione, and protein carbonyl levels.

Weed infestation in the stand of milk thistle and infestation in sustainable crop rotation

Weed infestation in the stand of milk thistle and infestation in sustainable crop rotation

Yield potential of Milk thistle production in south western Slovakia

Yield potential of Milk thistle production in south western Slovakia

Physico-kinetic and functional features of a novel β-glucosidase isolated from milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) flower petals

A highly abundant β-glucosidase from petals of Silybum marianum has been purified and characterized for its physico-kinetic properties. The 135 kDa enzyme was a homodimer with subunit molecular mass of 67.6 kDa. The characteristic catalytic properties of the enzyme included acidic pH optimum (5.5), meso-thermostability, and β-linked substrate specificity with preference for gluco-conjugate but a marked (>50 %) activity with D-fuco-conjugates and considerable (~16 %) activity towards D-galacto-conjugates. The enzyme showed high affinity for p-nitrophenyl glucoside (pNPG) with Km and Vmax values of 0.25 mM and 5.35 μkat.mg−1 enzyme protein. Thus, the enzyme had a very high (292,000 M−1.s−1) catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km). Thermal catalytic optimum of enzyme was 40 °C with activation energy value 8.26 kCal.Mol−1. The enzyme showed significant insensitivity to D-gluconic acid lactone inhibition (57 % at 5 mM) with an apparent Ki 3.8 mM. The transglucosylating ability of enzyme was noticed for glucosylation of geraniol and withaferin-A with pNPG as glucosyl donor but cellobiose did not serve as the glycosyl donor. Partial proteomics of the enzyme revealed two peptide fragment sequences, VTPSNEVH and KRSEESNF. These motifs showed significant matching/sequence conservation with some other glycohydrolases. The novelties of purified enzyme hold potential to expand a library of catalytically characteristic members of the hydrolase family from plants for use in biotransformation applications.

CONCERNING THE FEATURES OF INTERSPECIES DIVERSITY IN THE POPULATION GROUPS OF MILK THISTLE

The data on some phenotypic features of 40 population groups of Silybum marianum Gaertn, created on the base of seeds with different geographic origin during the field investigations in 1989-2006 in Samara region are given in the article. The problem of possible connection between morphological and quantitative, especially productivity-connected, parameters is discussed.

Effects of the mixture of Swertia pseudochinensis Hara and Silybum marianum Gaertn extracts on CCl4-induced liver injury in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

To study the mechanism of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the therapeutic effects of the extract mixture of Dangyao (Swertia pseudochinensis Hara) and Shuifeiji (Silybum marianum Gaertn) on NAFLD rats with liver injury. Male Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group, CCl(4) group, high-fat diet group, high-fat diet plus CCl(4) injection group (model group), diammonium glycyrrhizinate group and extract mixture group. Except the normal control and CCl(4) groups, rats were fed with high-fat diet (88% normal chow, 10% lard and 2% cholesterol) to induce NAFLD. Diammonium glycyrrhizinate and extracts were given by gavage. After eight weeks, a nonlethal dose of CCl(4) was injected intraperitoneally to all rats except the normal and high-fat diet groups. And 48 h later, all rats were sacrificed, and serum and liver tissues were collected for further study. Paraffin-processed liver tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to observe the pathological changes. Serum alamine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues were also examined. Expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Liver sections stained with HE showed that the histopathological changes in the normal control group and the CCl(4) group were mild; massive hepatosteatosis diffusing in lobules was shown in the high-fat diet groups; steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning degeneration and inflammatory infiltration were severe around the central vein in sections of the model group. Compared with the model group, hepatosteatosis and ballooning were significantly attenuated in the treatment groups. Levels of serum ALT and AST, contents of TAG and MDA and the UCP2 expression in liver tissues of the model group increased obviously, while the level of liver GSH decreased. Compared with rats in the model group, the above biomarkers in the treatment groups were improved significantly. The mixture of Dangyao and Shuifeiji extracts can decrease the susceptibility and degree of liver injury induced by hepatotoxin in rats with NAFLD. Regulation of the balance of pro- and anti-oxidative stress factors is involved in the mechanism.

The physicochemical properties and oil constituents of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn. cv. Budakalászi) under drought stress

Milk thistle, Silybum marianum, is an annual or biennial plant. It has been reported that the extracted oil from milk thistle seed contains essential edible fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to determine the irrigation interval effects on different fatty acids content of milk thistle. Irrigation intervals consisted of D1 = 5, D2 = 10, D3 = 15 days and D4 = without irrigation. To show the water status of the investigated plants, relative water content of the leaves was measured. Milk thistle seed oil have been used for analysis of physicochemical properties such as oil content and composition using GC (FID). Our results proved that the irrigation intervals had significant effects on all of the studied parameters. The total oil content decreased by 4% due to increasing the water scarcity but the amount of the polyunsaturated fatty acids increased under the drought stress. The highest amount of the polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid (42.84%) and linolenic acid (0.65%) were measured in D4 whereas the highest amount of the monounsaturated fatty acids; oleic acid (36.67%) and gadoleic acid (0.57%) have accumulated in D1. The moisture content of the oil in D4 decreased until 0.37% and the lowest chlorophyll content, pH, acid value and the highest refract index also were measured in D4. It has proved that the drought stress increased the quality of milk thistle seed oil. Our results can justify the important value of milk thistle seed oil as an attractive candidate for use in food preparation. Key words: Milk thistle, seed oil constituents, irrigation interval, essential fatty acids.

The physicochemical properties and oil (Silybum marianum Gaertn. cv. Budakalszi) constituents of milk thistle under drought stress

Milk thistle, Silybum marianum, is an annual or biennial plant. It has been reported that the extracted oil from milk thistle seed contains essential edible fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to determine the irrigation interval effects on different fatty acids content of milk thistle. Irrigation intervals consisted of D1= 5, D2= 10, D3= 15 days and D4= without irrigation. To show the water status of the investigated plants, relative water content of the leaves was measured. Milk thistle seed oil have been used for analysis of physicochemical properties such as oil content and composition using GC (FID). Our results proved that the irrigation intervals had significant effects on all of the studied parameters. The total oil content decreased by 4% due to increasing the water scarcity but the amount of the polyunsaturated fatty acids increased under the drought stress. The highest amount of the polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid (42.84%) and linolenic acid (0.65%) were measured in D4 whereas the highest amount of the monounsaturated fatty acids; oleic acid (36.67%) and gadoleic acid (0.57%) have accumulated in D1. The moisture content of the oil in D4 decreased until 0.37% and the lowest chlorophyll content, pH, acid value and the highest refract index also were measured in D4. It has proved that the drought stress increased the quality of milk thistle seed oil. Our results can justify the important value of milk thistle seed oil as an attractive candidate for use in food preparation. Key words: Milk thistle, seed oil constituents, irrigation interval, essential fatty acids.

INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION AND GROWTH REGULATOR ON MILK THISTLE SEED YIELD AND QUALITY

The effects of foliar fertilization and a growth regulator 5-tert-butyl-N-m-tolylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (MD148/II) on the growth, seed yield, and silymarin content of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) plants were evaluated. The study was conducted over two years at an experimental field on a slightly acid-leached cinnamonic meadow soil. The MD148/II was applied in the beginning of milk thistle flowering stage. Foliar fertilizer was applied at different plant developmental stages with different proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Treatments with foliar fertilizer and MD148/II resulted in improvement of plant biomass, number of plant lateral shoots, flowering rate, and seed yield and the content of some active substances in milk thistle seeds. A reduction of high molecular fatty acids was observed. The increase of seed yield was a result of the flower head setting enhancement. Therefore the combined treatment of foliar fertilizer and MD148/II was efficient in elicitation milk thistle production under field conditions.

Variability pattern and correlation studies in Silybum marianum Gaertn

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were determined investigating the characters of 15 accessions of Silybum marianum. Seed yield/plant and number of capsules/plant had highest estimates of genotypic variation, heritability and genetic advance which suggest that direct selection for these traits is suitable for the improvement of this crop. Number of capsules/plant had a significant positive correlation with the number of branches/plant and leaf length( r=0.3398, 0.7547), whereas seed yield/plant had a positive significant correlation with leaf length, stem diameter, capsule diameter and silymarin content ( r=0.6830, 0.3140, 0.3484, 0.2925).

Study of the refirming effect of a plant complex

Loss of skin elasticity is one of the main problems of ageing. This is a mechanical property influenced by elastin, a protein in the dermis which, together with collagen and glycosaminoglycans, makes up the connective tissue. This tissue is affected by a large number of events (such as cutaneous ageing, pregnancy, slimming processes and cellulitis) which eventually cause it to change. At the same time, the metabolism of the proteins of the connective tissue decreases and there is an ever greater presence of enzymes, principally elastases and collagenases, which are responsible for breaking down the elastin and the collagen. One way to prevent such a loss of elasticity is to use active ingredients that are able to inhibit elastase enzymes. A plant complex was prepared using the following plants: lady's thistle (Silybum marianum GAERTN), alchemilla or yarrow (Alchemilla vulgaris L.), horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) as well as germinated seeds (Glycine soja Siebold and Zucc., Triticum vulgare Vilars, Medicago sativa L., Raphanus sativus L.). The complex was standardized to give the corresponding active principles, silybin, tannins, silicon and peptides, respectively, and in vitro enzymatic tests were carried out to establish its ability to inhibit elastase. The study of enzymatic inhibition was carried out using two enzymes: (1) porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), and (2) human leukocyte elastase (HLE). The results showed that the plant complex presents non-competitive inhibition in the order of 41.0% against PPE and 50.0% against HLE. An in vivo test was made alongside the in vitro test using an SEM 474 Cutometer (Courage & Khazaka) to study the elasticity of the skin, and positive effects were obtained when applying a cosmetic formulation containing 5% of the plant complex. Image analysis of duplicates of the cutaneous surface, before and after treatment began with a product containing 5% of plant complex and showed that wrinkles were decreased by 36.7%.

Hochleistungsflüssigchromatogrphie von silymarin: II. Quantitative bestimmung von silymarin aus silybum marianum durch hochleistungsflüssigchromatographie

High-performance liquid chromatography of silymarin. II. Quantitative determination of silymarin from Silybum marianum by high-performance liquid chromatography The separation of the genuine silymarin, consisting of silybin, silydianin and silychristin, from the fruits of Silybum marianum Gaertn. has been achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using reversed-phase systems with methanol—water—acetic acid (40:60:5). The separation can be used for a direct quantitative estimation utilizing 1-naphthol as internal standard. The HPLC determination permits individual estimations of silybin, silychristin, silydianin, and in addition the flavanonol taxifolin. This method can be used for routine quantitative analysis of silymarin in crude extracts and pharmaceutical preparations.

Hochleistungsflüssigchromatographische trennung von silymarinen und deren bestimmung im rohextrakt von silybum marianum gaertn.

Hochleistungsflüssigchromatographische trennung von silymarinen und deren bestimmung im rohextrakt von silybum marianum gaertn.

Einfluß von Silymarin auf die Atmung pflanzlicher Gewebe

Summary Silybin, silydianin and silychristin, the biologically active constituents of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.), strongly stimulate the oxygen uptake of plant tissue. The effect manifests itself in the intensity of the respiration and in the time course of oxygen consumption and shows a clear dose-response relationship.

Polyacetylenes as contents of Silybum marianum Gaertn

AbstractIn den Wurzeln der Composite Silybum marianum Gaertn. wurden 12 Polyacetylene und ein Polyen nachgewiesen. Die Struktur konnte von 7 Substanzen ermittelt werden: Tridecadien‐(1,11)‐tetrain‐(3,5,7,9) (I), Tridecen‐(1)‐pentain‐(3,5,7,9,11) (II), Tridecadien‐(1,3,11)‐triin‐(5,7,9) (III), Tridecen‐(12)‐tetrain‐(4,6,8,10)‐al‐(1) (IV), Tridecadien‐(3,5)‐triin‐(7,9,11)ol‐(1)‐acetat (V), Heptadecatrien‐(1,8,15)‐diin‐(11,13) (VI), Heptadecatrien‐(1,8,15)‐diin‐(11,13)‐ol‐(10) (VII). Von 6 Verbindungen (VIII–XIII) ließ sich eine Teilstruktur aufstellen. In den Blütenköpfchen kommen 5 dieser ungesättigten Verbindungen vor (I, II, III, VIII und IX), im Sproß 2 (I und II). Die Früchte enthalten keine Polyacetylene, dagegen ließen sich in den 7 Tage alten Keimlingen 3 (I, II und V) nachweisen.