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Research: KITTUR and colleagues, De
Listed in Issue 89
Abstract
KITTUR and colleagues, Department of Neurology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA, kitturs@upstate.edu, habe investigated neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of milk thistle on neurones in culture.
Background
Herbal medicines are used as dietary supplements or therapeutic agents. However the understanding of the biological basis of the clinical effects of such products is often poor. This study attempts to help fill that gap.
Methodology
The effects of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on the differentiation and survival of cultured neural cells were measured.
Results
Milk thistle enhanced Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 neural cells and prolonged their survival in culture. It also protected cultured rat hippocampal neurones against oxidative stress induced cell death.
Conclusion
These data demonstrate that milk thistle extract can promote neuronal differentiation and survival, suggesting potential benefits of chemicals contained in this plant for the nervous system.
References
Kittur S, Wilasrusmee S, Pedersen WA, Mattson MP, Straube-West K, Wilasrusmee C, Lubelt B, Kittur DS. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on neurons in culture. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 18 (3): 265-269, Jun 2002.
