Document Type : Review Articles
Authors
1
Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University
2
-Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt. -Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University, Ras-Sedr, South Sinai, Egypt.
3
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62521, Egypt.
4
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University
Abstract
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (SM), commonly known as milk thistle, is a medicinal plant belongs to family Asteraceae. Fruit’s extract of these plant species is one of the most studied herbs and widely used for treatment of many diseases mainly for hepatic disorders. Silymarin, found in SM fruit extract that has been standardized, contains a complex mixture of flavonolignan compounds. The main flavonolignans in silymarin are silybins, isosilybins, silychristins, and silydianin. In this review, we highlight the main pharmacological activities reported for these plant species as well as the underlying mechanisms. Among these activities are antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, skin-protective, and antidiabetic activities. Crucially, silymarin also mitigates the harmful effects of metals, herbicides, and antibiotics. Numerous pharmacological actions of SM offer empirical support for its applications in both humans and animals. The shared molecular targets of SM are several signaling pathways linked to inflammation and oxidative damage.
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