Milk thistle

Overview:

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver and gall bladder problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.

Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed.

Liver disease from alcohol

Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. But scientific studies show mixed results. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. But problems in the design of the studies (such as small numbers of participants and differences in dosing and duration of milk thistle therapy) make it hard to draw any real conclusions.

Viral hepatitis

Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis C). But studies show mixed results. Some found improvements in liver function, while others did not. None of the studies compared milk thistle with interferon or other medications for viral hepatitis.

Mushroom poisoning

Based on traditional use, milk thistle has been used as an emergency antidote to poisoning by deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death.

Cancer

Early laboratory studies also suggest that silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects. These substances appear to stop cancer cells from dividing and reproducing, shorten their life span, and reduce blood supple to tumors. More studies are needed, however, to show whether milk thistle has any effects in the body (not just test tubes).

Plant Description:

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region, and is now found throughout the world. This stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. The spiny stems branch at the top, and reach a height of 4 to 10 feet. The leaves are wide, with white blotches or veins. Milk thistle gets its name from the milky white fluid that comes from the leaves when they are crushed. The flowers are red-purple. The small, hard-skinned fruit is brown, spotted, and shiny. Milk thistle spreads quickly (it is considered a weed in some parts of the world), and it matures quickly, in less than a year.

What's It Made Of?:

The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin. Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin), which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also keeps new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. It reduces inflammation (which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and is a strong antioxidant.

Most milk thistle products are standardized preparations made from the seeds of the plant. Most preparations are standardized to contain 70 - 80% of silymarin.

Available Forms:

A few studies show that a silymarin-phosphatidylcholine complex may be absorbed more easily than regular standardized milk thistle. Phosphatidylcholine is a key element in cell membranes. It helps silymarin attach easily to cell membranes, which may keep toxins from getting inside liver cells. Alcohol extracts should be avoided by anyone with alcohol-related liver disease.

How to Take It:
Pediatric

There are no studies showing whether it is safe to give milk thistle to a child. Liver problems can be serious and should be diagnosed by a physician. Talk to your doctor before giving milk thistle to a child.

Adult

If you think you have a liver problem, you should see a doctor. Liver disease can be life threatening.

Precautions:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Milk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Side effects are usually mild and may involve stomach upset and diarrhea. Some people may get a rash from touching milk thistle plants.

Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

People with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast and uterine cancer and prostate cancer, should not take milk thistle.

Possible Interactions:

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use milk thistle without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes:

Alternative Names:

Silybum marianum; St. Mary's thistle




Researchers found that silibinin, an extract of milk thistle, may decrease tumor size, the number of tumors and tumor multiplicity in subjects with lung cancer. It appears from the study that the primary mechanism of action the milk thistle extract addressed was inhibition of nitric oxide production, as sustained nitric oxide generation positively correlates with lung cancer development and progression.

The extract was also shown to decrease specific markers of new blood vessel formation and inflammation, two components of cancer genesis.

Source: Silibinin Prevents Lung Tumorigenesis in Wild-Type but not in iNOS-/- Mice: Potential of Real-Time Micro-CT in Lung Cancer Chemoprevention Studies

 
 
Effect of Silymarin in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
Abstract - Objective: Although the role of oxidative stresses has been confirmed in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and the protective effect of silymarin against oxidative stresses has been proven in different organs, no study has yet been conducted on the impact of silymarin on allergic rhinitis treatment.

Study Design.
A randomized clinical trial study.

Setting.
Two tertiary referral centers with otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery and allergy and immunology departments.

Patients and Methods.
In a randomized clinical trial, 94 patients with the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and a positive skin prick test were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. Their signs and symptoms, eosinophil percentage on nasal smear, serum IgE, and interleukin (IL-4, IL-5, interferon-?) levels were recorded. The study group was treated with silymarin, whereas the control group received placebo, both for 1 month, along with routine antihistamine treatment. At the end of the treatment course, clinical and laboratory findings were statistically analyzed.

READ MORE...

Courtesy - http://oto.sagepub.com


Close