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Research: ABENAVOLI and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 301
Abstract
ABENAVOLI and COLLEAGUES, 1 Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy; 2 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; 3 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; 4 Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy review the chemistry of Milk thistle (MT), the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability
Background
Milk thistle (MT; Silybum marianum), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a therapeutic herb with a 2,000-year history of use.
Methodology
MT fruits contain a mixture of flavonolignans collectively known as silymarin, being silybin (also named silibinin) the main component.
Results
This article reviews the chemistry of MT, the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, the pharmacologically relevant actions for liver diseases (e.g., anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and liver-regenerating properties) as well as the clinical potential in patients with alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, and mushroom poisoning.
Conclusion
Overall, literature data suggest that, despite encouraging preclinical data, further well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to fully substantiate the real value of MT preparations in liver diseases. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
References
Ludovico Abenavoli 1 , Angelo A Izzo 2 , Natasa Milić 3 , Carla Cicala 2 , Antonello Santini 2 , Raffaele Capasso 4. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): A concise overview on its chemistry, pharmacological, and nutraceutical uses in liver diseases. Phytother Res. ;32(11):2202-2213. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6171. Epub 6 Aug 2018. Nov 2018.
