Silybum Marianum Research Articles

Solid-state fermentation of milk thistle meal with complex probiotics and cellulase as a sustainable cattle feed from Chinese herb residues

Introduction. Nanoparticles have recently garnered substantial interest across various scientific disciplines due to their novel physicochemical properties. These particles have found broad applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental sciences, and pharmaceutical technologies. Objectives. To investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the transformation efficiency of the medicinal plant milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Materials and Methods. Explants derived from 20-day-old seedlings were directly injected with Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC13332 using a 0.5 mL insulin syringe. Treated explants were cultured on solidified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium devoid of growth regulators. Results. Hairy roots were induced in 55.86% of leaf explants, marking the first visible indicator of successful genetic transformation. Callus induction from hairy roots reached a 100% success rate on MS2 medium (MS + 1.0 mg·L-¹ benzyladenine [BA] + 0.1 mg·L-¹ indole-3-butyric acid [IBA]). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of the rolB gene in the genomic DNA of transformed tissues. Shoot regeneration occurred during hairy root maintenance. Furthermore, supplementing MS medium with varying concentrations (25–300 μg/mL) of ZnO NPs significantly enhanced hairy root induction, achieving a maximum rate of 100% in leaf explants cultured on MS medium containing 150 μg/mL ZnO NPs. Conclusions. Zinc oxide nanoparticles effectively enhanced the genetic transformation frequency in S. marianum, demonstrating their potential as a nanobiotechnological tool in plant genetic engineering.

Introduction Egg quality is crucial to productivity and laying hens’ health. However, hens’ aging, oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders (e.g., liver steatosis) can impair egg production and quality during the production cycle. Nutritional interventions may help preserve productivity under these conditions. Among plant extracts, milk thistle ( Silybum marianum L.) and artichoke ( Cynara scolymus L.) are noteworthy for their bioactive compounds with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combined extract of milk thistle and artichoke (PHYTO-LAYER™), standardized in silibinin (2.4 g/L) and chlorogenic acid (2.2 g/L), in maintaining or improving egg quality, lipid oxidation, and antioxidant capacity in caged-laying hens exposed to hepatic and metabolic stress. Methods A total of 792 Lohmann LSL-White hens (41 weeks old) were randomly assigned to two groups, control and treated (396 hens per group). The treated group received the products via drinking water at a dose of 1 mL/L, intermittently for 7 weeks (7 consecutive days every 2 weeks). Sampling occurred at five time points (T0–T5). At T0, T3, and T5, 60 eggs per group were collected for quality indices evaluation, while 13 hens per group were sampled for serum biochemical investigations. Results PHYTO-LAYER™ improved egg, yolk, and albumen weight ( p < 0.000), eggshell thickness ( p < 0.000), and the total polyphenol content ( p < 0.026), with an enhancement of yolk antioxidant capacity ( p < 0.024). However, the Haugh unit of treated eggs was reduced ( p < 0.000). Discussion Egg quality often deteriorates during late production stages due to oxidative stress and hens’ aging. Given the antioxidant potential of silibinin and chlorogenic acid, their combined intermittent administration supports and maintains the egg quality in caged-laying hens exposed to metabolic stress and after the peak of production. However, further studies could be of interest to verify whether similar changes in egg-quality indices are observed with other phytoextract administration protocols, such as continuous administration, and at different administered doses.

Silybum marianum and Brachylaena discolor were identified from the ethnobotanical pool of medicinal plants used in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Africa. These two plants were selected based on their strength of evidence from our preliminary investigation and frequency of ethnomedicinal use. An extensive literature review was performed using major scientific databases. Silybum marianum and Brachylaena discolor have shown potential activity in decreasing blood glucose levels. Previously isolated chemical compounds validated their anti-diabetic properties, thus confirming their importance and utilization from an ethnobotanical perspective for drug discovery in the development of type 2 diabetes drugs. The traditional use of Brachylaena discolor involved infusion and decoction methods, and the isolation of target-based compounds will be required for anti-diabetic activities. However, the existing toxicity profile remains insufficient, especially for B. discolor. The findings suggest that these plants would be beneficial to the populace as an add-on dietary vegetable in lowering blood sugar levels for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Further comprehensive studies are needed to fully establish their safety profile, particularly with long-term use or when consumed.

Functional foods promote human health and improve physiological response. For example, fermented dairy drinks are often fortified with extracts of biologically active substances that add to their initial nutritional and biological value. This article introduces a new functional cheese-whey drink fortified with extracts of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). Standard methods revealed the physical and chemical parameters of bioactive extracts in fermented dairy environment, e.g., the effect of dose and species composition on the fermentation process. The starter culture samples involved Bifidobacterium longum and Propionibacterium freudereichii subsp. shermanii, as well as strains of Streptococcus salvarius ssp. Thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. The optimized technological parameters and production scheme yielded a novel functional drink fortified with S. marianum and M. piperit extracts that demonstrated excellent commercial potential.

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a major health issue in laying hens, which is associated with reduced productive performance and increased mortality. This study investigated the efficacy of three herbal additive mixes as dietary interventions to prevent FLHS in a total of 384 LSL-Lohmann laying hens from 65 to 77 weeks of age. Hens were allocated to eight treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial design, comprising two basal diets—a standard diet (SD) and a high-energy, low-protein challenge diet (CD)—alongside four dietary interventions (three herbal mixes and a control). The herbal mixes were formulated as follows: Mix 1 (turmeric, fumitory, green tea, milk thistle), Mix 2 (lemon, black pepper, sumac, chicory), and Mix 3 (garlic, artichoke, ginger, shallot). Productive performance, blood variables, and liver lesion scores were carefully assessed. The results demonstrated that the CD decreased feed intake (FI; P = 0.0001), egg production (EP; P = 0.0001), and egg weight (EW; P = 0.0001) from week 5 onward. Birds received the CD had poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR) as opposed to the SD in weeks 5 and 6 of the trial. Feeding the CD resulted in higher circulatory levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P = 0.0001) and triglycerides (TG; P = 0.0001), and a higher frequency of severe livers scores (P = 0.002). Notably, Mix 2 emerged as the most effective intervention, significantly reversing the negative impacts of the CD across all measured parameters. However, the herbal mixes did not significantly affect heterophil and lymphocyte counts or hemoglobin (Hb) concentration when fed with the CD. Overall, the CD significantly impaired productive performance and increased liver pathological lesions. However, supplementing the CD with Mix 2 (lemon, black pepper, sumac, and chicory) consistently led to the most significant improvements across all measured parameters, proving to be an effective dietary intervention to prevent FLHS in laying hens.

Synthetic medicinal products are expensive and may have serious side effects. In addition, other antimicrobial agents have become increasingly required due to antibiotic resistance. To overcome these problems, people have used medicinal plants for years as a source of medication. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) has been used for decades to treat various chronic illnesses. This study aimed to verify the chemical profile of S.marianum using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and evaluate the plant extracts' anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antioxidant activities. Results revealed that extracts from the plant contain significant amounts of triterpenes, tetraterpenes, oxygenated hydrocarbons, and small amounts of hydrocarbons. Results also showed that at a dose of 0.5 mg/ear, the seed extract significantly reduced xylene-induced edema in mice; however, the water extracts reduced croton oil-induced edema with a percent inhibition of 84.61±4.61 % at the same dose. Moreover, the results showed that the methanolic seed extract was the most potent in anticoagulant activity. In contrast, the n-butanol extract showed the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50=0.021±0.006 mg/mL). This study highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antioxidant potential of S.marianum L. and the medicinal importance of natural phytochemicals isolated from this medicinal plant.

Silymarin, a flavonolignan-rich extract of Silybum marianum, is widely recognized for its hepatoprotective potential. While rodent studies predominate, pigs (Sus scrofa) offer a more translationally relevant model due to their hepatic architecture, bile acid composition, and transporter expression, which closely resemble those of humans. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and hepatoprotective activity of silymarin in porcine models. Available studies demonstrate that when adequate intrahepatic exposure is achieved, particularly through optimised formulations, silymarin can attenuate oxidative stress, suppress inflammatory signalling, stabilise mitochondria, and modulate fibrogenic pathways. Protective effects have been reported across diverse porcine injury paradigms, including toxin-induced necrosis, ethanol- and diet-associated steatosis, metabolic dysfunction, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and partial hepatectomy. However, the evidence base remains limited, with few long-term studies addressing fibrosis or regeneration, and methodological heterogeneity complicates the comparison of data across studies. Current knowledge gaps in silymarin research include inconsistent chemotype characterization among plant sources, limited reporting of unbound pharmacokinetic parameters, and variability in histological scoring criteria across studies, which collectively hinder cross-study comparability and mechanistic interpretation. Advances in analytical chemistry, transporter biology, and formulation design are beginning to refine the interpretation of exposure–response relationships. Advances in analytical chemistry, transporter biology, and formulation design are beginning to refine the interpretation of exposure–response relationships. In parallel, emerging computational approaches, including machine-learning-assisted chemotype fingerprinting, automated histology scoring, and Bayesian exposure modeling, are being explored as supportive tools to enhance reproducibility and translational relevance; however, these frameworks remain exploratory and require empirical validation, particularly in modeling enterohepatic recirculation. Collectively, current porcine evidence supports silymarin as a context-dependent yet credible hepatoprotective agent, highlighting priorities for future research to better define its therapeutic potential in clinical nutrition and veterinary practice.

BackgroundAn in-depth analysis was conducted on 37 honey samples from western Algeria representing diverse floral sources—lavender, rosemary, sweet white mustard, thyme, milk thistle, carob, orange, euphorbia, eucalyptus, camphor, jujube, sage, harmal, and multifloral blends. The objective was to evaluate their physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics, with Polish honeys serving as references.MethodsKey physicochemical traits were measured, including moisture, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), proline, specific optical rotation, sugar profile (fructose, glucose, sucrose), and colour in CIELAB space (L*, a*, b*, and ). Sensory evaluation was performed using a five-point hedonic scale (+2 = “like very much” to –2 = “dislike very much”) and an 11-descriptor Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) questionnaire.ResultsAll values satisfied European quality limits (moisture 14.67–20.87%, pH 3.47–5.60, free acidity 8.00–40.33 meq/kg, conductivity 0.16–1.18 mS/cm, HMF 1.79–49.43 mg/kg, sucrose < 5 g/100 g, proline 265.95–1200.66 mg/kg). Polish samples scored higher for taste (+1.22 ± 0.42 vs + 0.18 ± 0.52; p = 0.009) and aroma (+0.72 ± 0.43 vs –0.26 ± 0.36; p = 0.016), whereas colour did not differ (p = 0.459). CATA indicated Algerian honeys were chiefly “mild” and “herbal”, contrasting with Polish “sweet” and “sharp” profiles. Principal-component analysis (PC1 + PC2 ≈ 65% variance) and hierarchical clustering defined three groups: (A) sweet aromatic (all Polish + four Algerian), (B) moderately mild, and (C) sharp–bitter–herbal. Selected Algerian varietals—rosemary (S29) and multifloral (S14)—matched Polish hedonic acceptance, highlighting their premium/exotic market potential.ConclusionWestern Algerian honeys exhibit high compositional quality and distinctive sensory signatures, supporting competitiveness in food and health applications.

The protective effects of the herbal feed supplements Silybum marianum, Silymarin, Withania somnifera, and Centella asiatica against ochratoxin A (OTA) toxicity were studied in 48 New Zealand White rabbits (37-day-old) during an 80-day experiment. OTA was given at 2 ppm, whereas Silybum marianum, Silymarin, Withania somnifera, and Centella asiatica were given at feed levels of 5000 ppm, 25,000 ppm, 4000 ppm, and 4600 ppm, respectively. All rabbits were immunized against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). OTA was found to induce an immunosuppressive effect on the humoral immune response. Reliable protection against OTA-provoked immunosuppression by Silimarin and Withania somnifera was found. The OTA-induced immunosuppression was responsible for secondary bacterial infection (pasteurellosis) and the death of two rabbits from the OTA-exposed group and one rabbit each from the groups protected with Silybum marianum and Centella asiatica. A decreased body weight was found in rabbits exposed to OTA, but the decrease was slighter in the rabbits protected with herbal supplements. The target organs damaged by OTA exposure were the liver, kidneys, and spleen, while weaker lesions were found in other internal organs, except in the cases of secondary pasteurellosis, in which the strongest damage was found in the lung. All investigated herbal supplements appeared to have stronger protective effects against OTA-induced damage to the kidneys and liver, with slightly protective effects observed in the lungs, myocardium, spleen, brain, intestine, testicles, and ovaries.

Silymarin in Silybum marianum ameliorated acute lethal sepsis in mice by targeting caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome in macrophages.

Stem cell nanotechnology (SCN) constitutes a pivotal domain of scientific inquiry aimed at facilitating stem cell-based investigations involving nanoparticles. At present, nanoparticles (NPs) can be synthesized from many sources using various methodologies, which may be categorized as physical, chemical, or biological, along with their distinct attributes such as morphology, dimensions, and electrostatic properties. Furthermore, it is important to advance the applications of green synthesis in the context of utilizing NPs within the biomedical sciences. To this end, there exists a requisite for the generation of NPs utilizing biological resources, followed by thorough characterization and exploration of their impacts on stem cells. This protocol determines the fabrication and characterization of silymarin NPs derived from the dried milk thistle plant as well as the assessment of their influence on the activation of hepatic progenitor stem cells and, by extension, the process of liver regeneration after hepatic damage induced by CCl4.

In this paper, aqueous-soluble silymarin nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared using Silybum marianum extract via the solvent evaporation method. The synthesized silymarin NCs were identified by XRD, FESEM/TEM, EDX, FT-IR, and UV–Vis procedures. The XRD pattern of silymarin NCs has shown amorphous structures. FESEM and TEM images of silymarin NCs exhibited spherical shapes with a size of about 23.14 nm. Also, the FTIR spectra revealed the presence of the functional groups in silymarin and silymarin NCs. The UV–Vis results of silymarin NCs donated strong absorption bands in the range of 230 and 285 nm. The results of the MTT assay indicated that silymarin NCs had minimum toxicity on cancer MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 amount of 420.3 µg/mL. Also, according to the results of the antibacterial tests, silymarin NCs exhibited superior efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC) and Escherichia coli (ATCC) in comparison with clinical strains.

Objective and Background: Studies have shown that phytochemicals from plants like flavonoids, terpenes, and alkaloids and peptides from animal sources can be very effective in cancers remission. Current review explores the potential of natural compounds from plants and animal sources in cancer treatment and examining how they complement or serve as alternatives to traditional therapies. Methods: In order to conduct the review; literature has been collected from 2004-2024 by pre-defined literature inclusion criteria. Literatures included based upon PRISMA and quality assessed by GRADE criteria. Findings: Flavonoids, terpenes, and alkaloids from plants and peptides from animal sources demonstrated strong anticancer activity by persuading apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell growth, and preventing metastasis with potentially lower toxicity than conventional treatments. Paclitaxel from Taxus brevifolia, curcuma from Curcuma longa, asparaguses from Asparagus racemosus, vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus, solamargine from Solanum nigrum, ß-carotenoids from Moringa olefera, silamyrin from Silybum marianum, apigenin from Apium graveolens, plumbagin from Plumbago zeylanica, and many others have shown efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth of breast, colon, and prostate. Animal-derived products; melittin from bee venom, brevinin-2 and esculentin-1 from frog’s skin, chlorotoxin from scorpion venom, l-amino acid oxiase from snake venom, halichondrin B from marine sponge has inhibited cancer cells migration in multiple types of cancers. Conclusion: The integration of these natural compounds in oncology could yield more accessible, effective, and less toxic treatment options and contribute to sustainable, innovative approaches in healthcare. Nature’s pharmacy offers a plethora of natural remedies that are beneficial in oncological intervention.

Peptides are widely used in cosmetic formulations to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, while silybin (a flavonolignan from Silybum marianum) offers retinol-like benefits through antioxidant and photoprotective activity. This study evaluated a novel anti-aging cream combining seven bioactive peptides with silybin to assess synergistic effects on ECM regeneration and clinical skin rejuvenation. In vitro assays in human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes revealed that the formulation rapidly upregulated gene and protein expression of collagen types I, III, IV, and XVII and lysyl oxidase (LOX) within 4–16 h. Ex-vivo, ultraviolet (UV)-damaged skin explants treated with the peptide–silybin complex showed enhanced recovery of collagen, elastic fibers, and LOX versus untreated controls. A 56-day clinical study (n = 31) demonstrated significant improvements in wrinkle area and volume, elasticity (+12.5%), firmness (+20.7%), and dermal density (+78%, all p &lt; 0.001). No adverse effects were reported, and over 80% of participants noted improved skin texture and firmness. These findings highlight a novel synergy between peptides and silybin, with rapid ECM activation and clinical efficacy. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a cosmetic peptide formulation significantly upregulating LOX expression, suggesting a new mechanism for strengthening dermal architecture and improving skin resilience. Future studies should elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects and assess whether other botanicals confer complementary benefits when combined with peptide blends.

Pro-inflammatory signaling targets and free radicals contribute to the occurrence of ulcerative colitis (UC). Chemical drugs can reduce the UC, whereas their side effects limit their applications. Currently, plant remedies present a promising field for pharmaceutical research. Our study aims to screen bioactive compounds in the aqueous extract from Silybum marianum seeds (AESS) and determine its effect on neutrophil pro-inflammatory functions and colitis. The phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of AESS were investigated. Human neutrophils were used to assess AESS cytotoxicity and its effects on oxygen-free radicals using chemiluminescence. The western blot was used to evaluate the degranulation mechanism. Furthermore, azurophilic granules, xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X-XO), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to examine the AESS effects on myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide anion (O₂-.) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). For the UC, rats were given oral (p.o.) doses of AESS and sulfasalazine (SSZ) for one week before colitis induction, then histological structure and inflammatory and oxidative markers were examined. Findings showed that AESS exhibited antioxidant capacities due to its flavonoids and mainly their flavonolignans, such as silychristin, silydianin, and silibinin A and silibinin B. Myeloperoxidase and HRP activities demonstrated that AESS decreased total oxygen radicals, H₂O₂ and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and modulated neutrophil degranulation. AESS (100 and 1000mg/kg, p.o.) prevents the rise of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β and preserves the microstructure of the colon and its redox status during the UC. Flavonolignans of AESS possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials, making it a safe candidate to prevent inflammation.

Innovative methods for analysing flavonolignan complex from Silybum marianum L.

Silibinin attenuates 3-nitropropionic acid-induced ovarian toxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and granulosa cell apoptosis.

Dietary linseed with apple pomace and milk thistle improves fatty acids profile of pork and its oxidative status

Introduction: Silymarins are the main active ingredient in milk thistle extract, reflecting the quality of extract products. The detection methods for silymarins in different pharmacopoeia standards may vary, which may lead to inconsistent detection results. Method: Due to the lack of research on related fingerprint spectra, its qualitative work is hard to carry out. Hence, based on existing standard methods, an HPLC method was established by optimizing the gradient program of the mobile phase. Results: The effectiveness of this method and the fingerprint was also studied. The similarity of 31 batches of samples ranged from 0.791 to 1.000, indicating the characteristic spectrum formed can be well used for qualitative analysis. Conclusion: Under optimal analytical conditions, the six silymarin compounds in the samples can achieve good baseline separation from the matrix with good resolution. At the same time, the LOD was 25 mg/kg, and the recovery rates at three levels ranged from 92% to 108%, with RSDs less than 4%. The fingerprint spectrum and content determination method established in this study had good repeatability and high accuracy, which can provide a new method for quality control of milk thistle extract.