MILK THISTLE (SILYBUM MARIANUM): AN OVERVIEW ABOUT ITS PHARMACOLOGY AND MEDICINAL USES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ORAL DISEASES

Pooja Sadavrati*

ABSTRACT

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) is a baceous plant that belong to the Asteraceae family and is a member of Cardue clan. Since antiquity, a several diseases have been treated by milk thistle such as liver disease, spleen problem, gallbladder problem, hepatitis and gallstones. Milk thistle seed are utilised in herbal remedies, and there are six flavonolignans that make up silymarin: silychristin, silydianin, silybin A&B, isosilybin A & B. because of its membrane stabilizing qualities, silymarine is effective in chronic liver disease. It has also been reported to be effective in certain cancers. Its mechanism of action includes inhibition of hepatotoxin binding to receptor sites on the hepatocyte membrane, reduction of glutathione oxidation to enhance its level in the liver and intestine and stimulation of RNA polymerase and subsequent protein synthesis, leading to enhanced hepatocyte regeneration. It is orally absorbed but has very poor bioavailability due to its poor water solubility. Milk thistle is now utilized in a diversity of supplement, including oil seed and soft gelatine capsule.

Keywords: Milk thistle, silymarin, Silybum marianum, silydianin.