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Background: Silymarin, the predominant compound of milk thistle, is an extract took out from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, containing a mixture of flavonolignans with strong antioxidant capability. Methods: The experiment was conducted using 70 Lohmann LSL‐Lite hens at 80 weeks of age with 7 treatments each with 10 replicates. Treatments included: (1) control diet without silymarin, (2) daily intake of 100 mg silymarin powder/kg body weight (BW) (PSM100), (3) daily intake of 200 mg silymarin powder/kg BW (PSM200), (4) daily intake of 100 mg nano‐silymarin/kg BW (NSM100), (5) daily intake of 200 mg nano‐silymarin/kg BW (NSM200), (6) daily intake of 100 mg lecithinized silymarin/kg BW (LSM100) and (7) daily intake of 200 mg lecithinized silymarin/kg BW (LSM200). The birds were housed individually, and diets were fed for 12 weeks. Results: Scanning electron microscopy showed that NSM was produced with the average particle size of 20.30 nm. Silymarin treatment improved serum antioxidant enzyme activity. All groups receiving silymarin showed a decrease in liver malondialdehyde content, expression of fatty acid synthase, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL‐6) genes in the liver, and hepatic steatosis than the control, except those fed the PSM100 diet. There were decreases in liver dry matter and fat contents, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocyte ballooning, and an increase in glutathione peroxidase gene expression and a decrease in iNOS gene expression in birds fed the NSM100, NSM200, LSM100 and LSM200 diets compared to the control group. Moreover, all groups receiving silymarin showed a significant decrease in liver weight compare to the control group. Conclusions: Overall, the effects of silymarin when converted to NSM or LSM and offered at the level of 200 mg/kg BW were more pronounced on the hepatic variables and may be useful in the prevention of the liver disease in older laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction method usually affects the structure and physicochemical properties of the protein. In this paper, Silybum marianum protein was isolated by reverse micelle extraction, and alkaline extraction and acid precipitation. The structure of the proteins was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and SDS-PAGE, and the effects of the extraction method on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of proteins were also analyzed. The results showed that proteins isolated by reverse micelle extraction (SPRME) were dominated by globular and fibrillar proteins with smooth surfaces and intact edges. Compared to the proteins isolated by alkaline extraction and acid precipitation (SPAE), SPRME contained a greater concentration of proteins in the 10–25 kD range. The β-fold contents of SPRME and SPAE were 26.73% ± 0.18% and 37.78% ± 0.74%, and the β-turn contents were 18.90% ± 0.67% and 14.02% ± 0.72%, respectively. The solubility, oil holding property, foaming capacity, emulsification, and emulsification stability of SPRME were higher than those of SPAE. SPRME has a superior antioxidant capacity than SPAE. These results indicate that milk thistle protein extracted by the reverse micelle method has a complete structure and better functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have been carried out on the antioxidant effects of medicinal plants in edible oils. One of those plants is turmeric, which, due to its biological and antioxidant compounds such as curcuminoids, has a strong antioxidant effect and prevents oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs). In this study, turmeric at different levels (5% and 10% w/w) was used to increase the oxidative stability of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seed oil (MTSO). Additionally, to improve the performance of turmeric, cold plasma (CP) treatment was used at different durations (5 and 10 min). The effect of turmeric on the quality parameters of MTSO was investigated during different storage times (1, 30, and 60 days). The results indicated that the addition of turmeric treated with CP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the acidity value (AV) (1.00–0.62 mg NaOH/g oil) and the peroxide value (PV) (4.47–3.65 mEq O2/kg oil) and also increased the total phenolic content (1003.23–1116.90 mg/GAE/100 g oil), antioxidant activity, α‐tocopherol, and finally the oxidative stability compared to the control sample and oil containing untreated turmeric. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC) analysis of the oil sample of the FA profile containing CP‐treated turmeric revealed the higher ratio of unsaturated FAs (i.e., linoleic and arachidonic acid) and lower saturated FA content (palmitic and stearic acid) compared to oil samples containing untreated turmeric. To conclude, CP treatment increased turmeric performance and improved the quality characteristics of MTSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDue to the worldwide growth in population, agricultural and industrial activities are expanding quickly, which pollutes the air, water, and soil and leads to the buildup of potentially hazardous substances in medicinal plants. The current study sought to determine the concentrations of various metals in Silybum marianum plants and soils in order to highlight the level of pollution in a Turkish Organized Industrial Zone in Dilovasi District, Kocaeli, and to investigate the effects of these heavy metals on plants. In order to determine the concentrations of elements evaluated within the scope of this study inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was employed, due to the benefits of ICP that provides few or no organic molecules, few ionization interferences, as well as the ability to analyze many elements sequentially. Furthermore, in order to evaluate elemental analysis in terms of nutritional values, risk assessments using RDA, EDI, THQ, and HI parameters were conducted. The value of heavy metals in co-located soil samples is relatively high. However, except for Co, Mn, and Ni, it has stayed within the World Health Organization’s permitted limits. The evaluation of the co-located soil samples found that the highest contents (mg kg−1) of Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn, were recorded as 7825.10, 4365.86, 4768.59, 2.50, 30.45, 38.49, 8352.00, 17452.26, 1495.82, 1495.82, 163.53, 1452.23, 28.67, 136.55 and 125.45, respectively, belonging to Location 1. These findings are in accordance with the Industrial Status Report since the place specified as Location 1 in the current study is characterized by its pronounced industrial activity and the robust electrical plant station with an industrial facility for generating electric power. Furthermore, the hazard index, the estimated daily intake and target hazard quotient for potentially harmful components and recommended daily allowance values for mineral nutrients were computed. Therefore, even though mineral nutritional values in some areas were found to be higher than Buyukada control location, this should be ignored. Consequently, this study warns against using S. marianum plants as food or medicine collected from current regions. As a result, ongoing inspection is necessary to prevent an excessive buildup of metals in the area and other places with similar human life-related features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bones are biological reservoirs for minerals and cells, offering protection to the other organs and contributing to the structural form of the body. Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone condition that significantly impacts people's quality of life. Treatments utilizing natural products and medicinal plants have gained important attention in the management of osteoporosis and its associated implications, such as osteoporotic fractures. Even though thousands of plants grow in the Mediterranean region, the use of medicinal plants as an alternative therapy for osteoporosis is still limited. Methods: This article provides a comprehensive overview of seven Mediterranean medicinal plants that are used in osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. The mechanism of action of the medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds against diseases are also briefly discussed. Results: The findings clearly indicate the ability of the seven medicinal plants (Ammi majus, Brassica oleracea, Ceratonia siliqua L., Foeniculum vulgare, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Salvia officinalis, and Silybum marianum) as anti-osteoporosis agents. Xanthotoxin, polyphenols, liquiritin, formononetin, silymarin, and silibinin/silybin were the main bioactive compounds that contributed to the action against osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Conclusions: In this review, the Mediterranean medicinal plants prove their ability as an alternative agent for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures instead of conventional synthetic therapies. Thus, this can encourage researchers to delve deeper into this field and develop medicinal-plant-based drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and liver disorders. Antioxidant therapies that target oxidative damage show significant promise in preventing and treating these conditions. Berberine, an alkaloid derived from various plants in the Berberidaceae family, enhances cellular defenses against oxidative stress through several mechanisms. It activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, which reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and improves energy metabolism. Furthermore, it boosts the activity of key antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thus protecting cells from oxidative damage. These actions make berberine effective in managing diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex derived from Silybum marianum, is particularly effective for liver protection. It activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, enhancing antioxidant enzyme expression and stabilizing mitochondrial membranes. Additionally, silymarin reduces the formation of ROS by chelating metal ions, and it also diminishes inflammation. This makes it beneficial for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disorders. This review aims to highlight the distinct mechanisms by which berberine and silymarin exert their antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, leaves of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn were extracted by a one-step extraction method using ethanol as a solvent, and the Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn extract (SMGE) was firstly employed as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4. The corrosion inhibition performance was studied using weight loss and electrochemical methods, and the anti-corrosion mechanism of SMGE is further analyzed through some surface characterizations and theoretical calculations. The results indicate that SMGE can act as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor and possess superior corrosion inhibition performance for carbon steel in H2SO4 solution, and the optimum corrosion inhibition efficiency reached 93.06% at 800 ppm SMGE combined with 60 ppm KI. The corrosion inhibition efficiency increased with the rising inhibitor concentration. Surface characterizations illustrated that the inhibitor could physico-chemically adsorb on a metal surface, forming a hydrophobic, protective film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain tissue in Alzheimer's patients is exposed to oxidative stress. Silymarin is an adjunct drug that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silymarin on biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and disease severity in Alzheimer's patients. Methods: This randomized, single-blind clinical trial study was performed on 33 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) whose disease was confirmed by DSM-5 criteria and by brain imaging. Patients in the case group received three 250 mg silymarin capsules daily (each containing 150 mg silymarin), as an adjunctive medication in addition to the routine medication regimen. In the placebo group (control), patients received the same amount of placebo. All patients underwent Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and a panel of blood tests including malondialdehyde, neopterin, catalase, paraoxonase-1, total oxidative status, and total antioxidant capacity to reevaluate the changes pre/postintervention at the end of the trimester. Results: The catalase and MDA serum levels after the adjunctive silymarin treatment decreased significantly (Catalasebefore silymarin = 9.29 ± 7.02 vs Catalaseafter silymarin = 5.32 ± 2.97, p = 0.007 and MDAbefore silymarin = 4.29 ± 1.90 vs MDAafter silymarin = 1.66 ± 0.84, p < 0.001) while MMSE increased notably (MMSEbefore silymarin = 10.39 ± 6.42 vs MMSEafter silymarin = 13.37 ± 6.81, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Silymarin can be effective as an adjunct drug and a powerful antioxidant in reducing oxidative stress and improving the course of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating agricultural traits and silymarin content variations in the domestic cultivation environment is necessary since the interest in milk thistle has increased as a high-income cash crop or plant capable of crop rotation. Therefore, this study selected six varieties cultivated for three years in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, and one year in Haenam, Jeollanam-do, to analyze agricultural phenotypes and silymarin content variations. Among the varieties, M05 and M03 expressed the highest silybin and silymarin contents, maintaining a silybin ratio of over 15%. In addition, M03 and M05 exhibited no or minimal silydianin content in both regions, likely due to genetic factors. However, silydianin content tended to increase in most Haenam varieties, excluding M03 and M05. Compared to other varieties, M06 had a notably higher silydianin content and was further accumulated in Haenam, indicating a potential environmental influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silibinin, or silybin, is a polyphenolic flavonoid and the main active component of silymarin, isolated from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). It has been shown to have antioxidant, antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. In this systematic review, a literature search was conducted from inception until January 2024 on major electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to identify studies assessing the effects of silibinin on diabetes and its associated complications in different molecular, cellular, animal, and clinical studies. Silibinin has been shown to improve diabetic conditions through a variety of mechanisms, including reducing insulin resistance (IR), lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and affecting glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis. Silibinin treatment reduced blood glucose (BG) levels, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines while increasing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and antioxidative marker levels in various cellular and animal models of diabetes. It also ameliorated levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Furthermore, silibinin has been identified as an effective treatment for diabetic complications, including hepatic damage, endothelial dysfunction, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and osteoporosis. The promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and insulin-sensitizing activities of silibinin were also supported in clinical studies. The administration of silibinin could possess multiple protective impacts in improving DM and its complications. Nevertheless, further well-designed investigations are necessary to better understand its mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, is renowned for its potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, primarily attributed to its active compound, silymarin. This study investigates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Silybum marianum extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The extract was prepared through ethanol-based solvent extraction and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, revealing the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and terpenoids. Hepatoprotective efficacy was assessed by measuring serum biochemical markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and MDA levels, alongside histopathological analysis of liver tissues. Rats treated with Silybum marianum extract showed significant improvements in liver function and oxidative stress markers compared to the CCl4 control group. The extract also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). These findings suggest that Silybum marianum holds therapeutic potential for protecting the liver against oxidative damage and inflammation. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate its efficacy and optimize therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural environment has been significantly impacted by human activity, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changes in living organisms and their adaptation to harsh conditions. Species, including plants, adapt to these changes by creating mechanisms and modifications that allow them to survive in harsh environments. Also, endophytes, microorganisms that live inside plants, can support plant growth and defense mechanisms in these conditions by synthesizing antimicrobial secondary metabolites. What is more, endophytes produce bioactive metabolites, including alkaloids, amines, and peptides, which play a crucial role in the relationship between endophytes and their host organisms. Endophytes themselves benefit from this by creating a stable environment for their survival and development. The aim of this review is to gain insight into endophytic bioactive metabolites from chosen synanthropic ruderal plants. Industrial activities release pollutants like heavy metals, by-products, and waste, which challenge living organisms and require adaptation. Synanthropic plants, where endophytes are abundant, are particularly valuable for their bioactive compounds, which are used in agriculture and medicine. This review presents, among others, endophytes of herbaceous ruderal plants from central Europe—Chelidonium majus L., Urtica dioica L., Plantago lanceolata L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Equisetum arvense L., Oenothera biennis L., Silybum marianum L., and Mentha piperita L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is integrated in a global effort to capitalize waste cooking oil (WCO) into versatile compounds by introducing an oxirane ring into the unsaturated carbon chain of fatty acid residues (the epoxidation of double bound). Therefore, an enzymatic method was set up for the epoxidation of artificially adulterated WCO (SFw) and WCO under real conditions (SFr) derived from sunflower biomass. Commercial lipase (Novozyme, NZ) was used as a biocatalyst for generating the peracid requested by the epoxidation pathway. Optimum experimental conditions (e.g., 1.5 wt% NZ, 1:1:0.5 = H2O2/double bonds/peracid precursor (molar ratio) and 12 h reaction time) allowed for the conversion of 90% of the SFw substrate into products with an oxirane ring. Octanoic acid was selected as the best peracid precursor. The versatility of the developed system was tested for olive, milk thistle, hemp and linseed oils as both fresh and WCO samples. The characterization of the oil samples before and after the enzymatic epoxidation allowed for the evaluation of the system performance. SFw/SFr exhibited a better susceptibility to enzymatic epoxidation. In addition, the reusability of the biocatalytic system was investigated. Furthermore, different strategies, such as biocatalyst coating and the addition of organic solvents/buffers were applied, limiting enzyme leaching, for the better recovery of the biocatalyst activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoring the structures and functions of tissues along with organs in human bodies is a topic gathering attention nowadays. These issues are widely discussed in the context of regenerative medicine. Excipients/delivery systems play a key role in this topic, guaranteeing a positive impact on the effectiveness of the drugs or therapeutic substances supplied. Advances in materials engineering, particularly in the development of hydrogel biomaterials, have influenced the idea of creating an innovative material that could serve as a carrier for active substances while ensuring biocompatibility and meeting all the stringent requirements imposed on medical materials. This work presents the preparation of a natural polymeric material based on pullulan modified with silymarin, which belongs to the group of flavonoids and derives from a plant called Silybum marianum. Under UV light, matrices with a previously prepared composition were crosslinked. Before proceeding to the next stage of the research, the purity of the composition of the matrices was checked using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Incubation tests lasting 19 days were carried out using incubation fluids such as simulated body fluid (SBF), Ringer's solution, and artificial saliva. Changes in pH, electrolytic conductivity, and weight were observed and then used to determine the sorption capacity. During incubation, SBF proved to be the most stable fluid, with a pH level of 7.6–7.8. Sorption tests showed a high sorption capacity of samples incubated in both Ringer's solution and artificial saliva (approximately 350%) and SBF (approximately 300%). After incubation, the surface morphology was analyzed using an optical microscope for samples demonstrating the greatest changes over time. The active substance, silymarin, was released using a water bath, and then the antioxidant capacity was determined using the Folin–Ciocâlteu test. The tests carried out proved that the material produced is active and harmless, which was shown by the incubation analysis. The continuous release of the active ingredient increases the biological value of the biomaterial. The material requires further research, including a more detailed assessment of its balance; however, it demonstrates promising potential for further experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess Milk Thistle oi reducing the aflatoxin damage and improve the health status of local breed hens. The study was performed on 60 hens aged 35 weeks, weighing 2-2.5 kg of the body was obtained and housed on a private poultry farm in north of Baghdad (Altaji) for a period of 9 weeks from 22 October until 22 December 2020. Hens were divided to three treatments (20 hens). The first was fed a basal diet free of aflatoxin. The 2nd fed on a contaminated diet with aflatoxin (14.6 ppb) while the 3rd fed as in the 2nd with 0.5% of Milk Thistle oil /kg feed. A 5 hens from each group were slaughtered at the end of the trial for the histopathological inspection of liver, spleen and intestine tissues to evaluate the harmful effect of aflatoxin and the repairing role of Milk Thistle. In G2 Aflatoxin group there was leg weakness, lameness, abnormal pigmentation (shank, feet), lethargy, and the crop is free from food. While in the 3rd group, the macro and microscopic examination of the symptoms were less marked and almost invisible. We conclude that silymarin may have a highly effect in repairing the aflatoxin damage to the body tissues of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethylene glycol, a common ripening agent for fruits can induce oxidative damage to healthy tissues, which can lead to organ failure. However, milk thistle, a plant with traditional medicinal use, can eliminate harmful free radicals and regulate inflammatory reactions. Aim of the Work: In this work, the efficacies of milk thistle aqueous extract to mitigate the detrimental effects of ethylene glycol on the organs of male albino rats were explored. Materials and Methods: Four groups of forty rats were allocated as control group (G1), milk thistle extract treated group (G2) received a daily intake of 151.2 mg/kg milk thistle for 1month, G3 received ethylene glycol to induce toxicity (2 ml/kg/day for 3 days), and G4 received both ethylene glycol and milk thistle extract. Biochemical analysis for blood samples as liver function (ALT, AST and ALP), total protein and albumin, kidney function (urea and creatinine), mineral levels (Ca++ and P) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant Capacity (SOD, CAT and TAC). Histological examination was performed on liver, kidney and lung tissues collected from the rats. Results: The exposure to EG increased MDA, ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, urea, creatinine, minerals, while reducing antioxidant markers levels, indicating oxidative stress, liver dysfunction, as well as acute renal failure with crystal deposition and primary pulmonary toxicity. Treatment with ethylene glycol and milk thistle extract (G4) resulted in significant improvements, marked by significant increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, decreased levels of MDA, ALT, AST, ALP, urea, creatinine, minerals in the serum, and improved histological structure of the liver, kidney, and lung tissues, indicating tissue recovery. Conclusion: Milk thistle extract relieve ethylene glycol-induced hepatic, renal and pulmonary toxicity, via increasing antioxidants and decreasing lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation sought to comprehensively evaluate the protective properties of Milk Thistle seeds against Supracideinduced oxidative stress in the Marbled Spinefoot fish. Liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC--MS) was employed to identify metabolites present in Silybum marianum seeds. The LC50 value of organophosphorous insecticide was determined as 7.5 μg L-1 through a 24-hour bath exposure. The experimental setup involved a 14-day dietary supplementation of S. marianum seeds followed by exposure to the determined Supracide LC50. Various physiological parameters, including lipid degradation, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Total cholesterol (T.ch) levels, were measured to assess fish health and stress. Additionally, histopathological examinations were conducted on the hepatopancreas tissues of both normal and stressed fish. The obtained results indicated significant increases (P<0.05) in serum ALT and LDH activities in the group of fish exposed to the toxin. Moreover, the levels of lipid peroxidation products in hepatopancreas homogenates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the exposed fish group, except for total cholesterol, which exhibited a significant decrease. Histological analysis further revealed notable tissue modifications in the examined organs, while the control group of fish exhibited normal appearance. Taken together, these findings suggest that Milk thistle seeds may possess protective effects against Supracide-induced oxidative stress in challenged S. rivulatus fish. As a result, this study provides valuable insights into potential alternative ameliorating agents for addressing aquaculture contamination caused by organophosphate insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, commonly known as milk thistle, is an herbal medicine rich in silymarin, a bioflavonoid complex. Historically, silymarin was used for treating liver diseases, but recent studies highlight silymarin's potential for obesity management. This narrative review aims to provide an in-depth examination of the existing knowledge of Silybum marianum (L.) and its secondary compounds concerning obesity and associated comorbidities, summarizing data from in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies. Obesity is a significant public health issue, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a major risk factor for mortality. It contributes to metabolic dysfunction, including oxidative stress, metainflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes development. Silymarin has demonstrated benefits on insulin signaling and lipid metabolism, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties at the molecular level. Innovative studies also suggest silymarin's potential as a prebiotic, positively influencing gut microbiota composition, a key factor affected by obesity. These promising findings support the potential anti-obesity action of silymarin in clinical practice. Looking forward, using silymarin as an innovative complementary therapy could offer substantial benefits for natural health promotion and obesity management. Nevertheless, further research into optimal doses and cellular mechanisms is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to generate and investigate the structural characteristics and antioxidant properties of a nano-composite film produced from Vicia ervilia protein (VEPI)—Launaea acanthodes gum (LAG). The film containing Silybum marianum extract microcapsules (SMEM) at varying volumes (0, 2.2, 7.5, 12.8, 15 v/v) along with different concentrations of graphene oxide nanoparticles (GONPs) (0, 0.6, 2.0, 3.4, 4.0 w/v). The thickness, solubility, and moisture content of the film samples increased after the integration of SMEM and GONPs (P < 0.05). Fourier-transform infrared analysis of the film sample based on VEPI/LAG/SMEM/GONPs showed proper interactions, including electrostatic interaction between these materials. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a lower degree of crystallinity in the nano-composite film by adding GONPs and SMEM. The Differential scanning calorimetry analysis conducted on the composite and optimized films, integrating SMEM and GONPs, revealed an elevation in both the glass transition temperature and the thermal degradation temperature compared to the blank sample. The results obtained from Field emission scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the type and quantity of variables significantly influenced the surface morphology of the films, leading to the formation of cracks and pores in the film. Furthermore, the findings regarding antimicrobial activity demonstrated that the nanocomposite film, incorporating SMEM and GONPs, exhibited antimicrobial properties against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. According to our result VEPI/LAG/SMEM/GONPs nanocomposite film possess potential to be used as environment friendly packaging films to improve shelf life of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Due to its rich content of active phytochemicals, milk thistle is regarded as a promising nutritional supplement for quails, particularly in regions with limited financial resources. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial impact of aqueous extract of milk thistle seeds (MTS) at two graded concentrations (10 and 20 ml/L of drinking water) on male Japanese quails during their reproductive period. Results The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 29 active compounds, including nine flavonoids and ten phenolic compounds. The supplemented groups showed significant improvements in body weight gain. MTS1 group exhibited a notable decrease in daily feed consumption, while MTS2 group showed a significant increase in daily water consumption. There was a dose-dependent increase in cecum length. The total count of intestinal bacteria decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Incorporating aqueous extract of MTS at concentration of 10 ml /L resulted in a significant increase in total protein and packed cell volume. Similar increases in globulin and decreases in the albumin/globulin ratio and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed with both doses of supplementation. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and AST was observed in the high-dose group. Significantly higher plasma testosterone and triiodothyronine levels were observed only in the high-dose group, while plasma thyroxine levels were similarly increased in both supplemented groups. Intervention with MTS resulted in dose-dependent increases in cloacal gland index and cloacal foam production. Both supplemented groups showed significant increases in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of Sertoli cells. Conclusion Marked growth-promoting, antibacterial, and reproductive-enhancing effects were observed when incorporating aqueous extract of MTS into the quails’ drinking water, particularly at a dosage of 20 ml/L.

Food products that have an anti-radiation effect and can be used in conditions of increased radiation are of particular interest. Scientifically based rationing of such products in the daily diet will make it possible to effectively use them to adapt the body to increased radiation and eliminate the effects of radiation exposure during treatment or examination. The purpose of the research presented in the paper is to analyze the nutritional and physiological causes of chronic nutrient deficiency of radioprotective microelements in the diet, to study the qualitative and biological characteristics of radioprotective ingredients to create a milk-based anti-radiation composition. The experimental part of the study has related to researching the mineral composition of selected ingredients and their antioxidant activity. The data obtained indicate that milk thistle flour contains a large amount of calcium, and sunflower meal contains potassium. In terms of potassium content, sunflower meal exceeds the microelement content in milk thistle by 50 %. The amount of calcium in milk thistle is 67 % higher compared to sunflower meal. In addition, plant raw materials are a source of magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, phosphorus and have pronounced antioxidant activity. As a result a scientific substantiation of the addition of ingredients for the production of radioprotective fermented milk product and its use in therapeutic and prophylactic nutrition for adults has been carried out in order to prevent radiation complications and remove radionuclides from the body. The normalized amount of ingredients for consumption per day has been calculated according to recommended diets, nutritional, physiological value, and physiological activity. Standards have been established for enriching micronutrients in the production of a radioprotective dairy product designed to increase the body's resistance to the action of free radical processes and enhance antioxidant capacity under conditions of radiation exposure.

Background Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion There is still no certain effective treatment for vitiligo as a common chronic skin disorder characterized by depigmented patches and loss of skin melanocytes.This study evaluates the efficacy of oral silymarin combined with hair follicle transplantation compared to follicle transplantation alone in the treatment of refractory vitiligo.Twenty refractory vitiligo patients were enrolled in this randomized controlled clinical trial, following up for 3 months. One group underwent hair transplantation plus oral silymarin, while the other group underwent follicle transplantation alone. We assessed the progress with Vitiligo Extent Tensity Index (VETI) in both groups and the peri‐follicular pigmentation diameter was estimated monthly. The Friedman test for comparing two groups at the end and the Mann–Whitney test for comparing two groups during each month was used.The mean age was 30.22 (18–59) years, with the male to female ratio of 1:1. The decrease in the VETI and increase in the perifollicular pigmentation was statistically significant between silymarin and another group in monthly follow‐up (p‐value: 0.019, 0.019, and 0.035, respectively). Finally, the re‐pigmentation was notable in silymarin group (p‐value <0.001 vs. 0.029, respectively). In addition, both genders had a significant increase in peri‐follicular re‐pigmentation in the last follow‐up (p‐value: 0.012 and 0.044, respectively); although the improvement was not statistically significant between genders in each month.According to our study, silymarin in combination with hair transplantation could be a potential medical treatment for vitiligo; however, further trials are needed to establish the efficacy of combination therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to its rich content of active phytochemicals, milk thistle is regarded as a promising nutritional supplement for quails, particularly in regions with limited financial resources. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial impact of aqueous extract of milk thistle seeds (MTS) at two graded concentrations (10 and 20 ml/L of drinking water) on male Japanese quails during their reproductive period. Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 29 active compounds, including nine flavonoids and ten phenolic compounds. The supplemented groups showed significant improvements in body weight gain. MTS1 group exhibited a notable decrease in daily feed consumption, while MTS2 group showed a significant increase in daily water consumption. There was a dose-dependent increase in cecum length. The total count of intestinal bacteria decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Incorporating aqueous extract of MTS at concentration of 10 ml /L resulted in a significant increase in total protein and packed cell volume. Similar increases in globulin and decreases in the albumin/globulin ratio and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed with both doses of supplementation. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and AST was observed in the high-dose group. Significantly higher plasma testosterone and triiodothyronine levels were observed only in the high-dose group, while plasma thyroxine levels were similarly increased in both supplemented groups. Intervention with MTS resulted in dose-dependent increases in cloacal gland index and cloacal foam production. Both supplemented groups showed significant increases in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of Sertoli cells. Conclusion: Marked growth-promoting, antibacterial, and reproductive-enhancing effects were observed when incorporating aqueous extract of MTS into the quails' drinking water, particularly at a dosage of 20 ml/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the potential utilization of milk thistle seed protein (MTP) isolates in gluten-free muffins to enhance the protein quantity and technological attributes. MTP was employed to partially substitute a blend including equal amounts of rice flour and corn starch (RCS) at 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%. The study encompassed a rheological assessment of muffin batters and physicochemical, textural, and sensory analyses of the muffins. The consistency coefficient (K) of muffin batters exhibited an increase with the incorporation of MTP, with all batters demonstrating shear-thinning behavior (n < 1). The dough samples exhibited solid-like characteristics attributed to G′ > G″, indicative of their viscoelastic nature. The storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) escalated with higher levels of MTP, suggesting an overall enhancement in dough viscoelasticity. The muffin containing wheat flour displayed the lowest hardness value, followed by MTP-added muffins at ratios of 12% and 9%. Additionally, MTP-added muffins exhibited greater springiness values than control samples without MTP (C2). However, the oxidative stability of MTP-added muffins was lower than the wheat control muffin (C1) and gluten-free control muffin. The protein content in muffins increased with MTP addition, reaching parity with wheat flour muffins at 6% MTP replacement. Sensory analysis revealed that substituting RCS with up to 6% MTP did not significantly alter the overall quality (p > 0.05), whereas higher MTP levels (9% and 12%) led to a decline in sensory attributes. Incorporating MTP at up to 6% yielded protein-enriched muffins with sensory characteristics comparable to the wheat flour muffin (C1). Furthermore, higher MTP additions (9% and 12%) conferred more favorable textural properties than the C2 muffin. However, the oxidative stability of the control muffins was found to be higher than that of MTP-added muffins. This study suggested that MTP could be a potential ingredient to increase the protein amount and specific volume of gluten-free muffins and to improve textural attributes such as springiness and hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. is a multipurpose crop native to the Mediterranean and middle east regions and mainly known for the hepatoprotective properties of fruit-derived silymarin. Despite growing interest in milk thistle as a versatile crop with medicinal value, its potential in agroindustry is hindered by incomplete domestication and limited genomic knowledge, impeding the development of competitive breeding programs. The present study aimed to evaluate genetic diversity in a panel of S. marianum accessions (n = 31), previously characterized for morphological and phytochemical traits, using 5,178 polymorphic DArTseq SNP markers. The genetic structure investigated using both parametric and non-parametric approaches (e.g. PCA, AWclust, Admixture), revealed three distinctive groups reflecting geographical origins. Indeed, Pop1 grouped accessions from Central Europe and UK, Pop3 consisted mainly of accessions of Italian origin, and Pop2 included accessions from different geographical areas. Interestingly, Italian genotypes showed a divergent phenotypic distribution, particularly in fruit oleic and linoleic acid content, compared to the other two groups. Genetic differentiation among the three groups, investigated by computing pairwise fixation index (FST), confirmed a greater differentiation of Pop3 compared to other subpopulations, also based on other diversity indices (e.g. private alleles, heterozygosity). Finally, 22 markers were declared as putatively under natural selection, of which seven significantly affected some important phenotypic traits such as oleic, arachidonic, behenic and linoleic acid content. These findings suggest that these markers, and overall, the seven SNP markers identified within Pop3, could be exploited in specific breeding programs, potentially aimed at diversifying the use of milk thistle. Indeed, incorporating genetic material from Pop3 haplotypes carrying the selected loci into milk thistle breeding populations might be the basis for developing milk thistle lines with higher levels of oleic, arachidonic, and behenic acids, and lower levels of linoleic acid, paving new avenues for enhancing the nutritional and agronomic characteristics of milk thistle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk thistle, Silybum marianum (L.), is a well-known medicinal plant used for the treatment of liver diseases due to its high content of silymarin. The seeds contain elaiosome, a fleshy structure attached to the seeds, which is believed to be a rich source of many metabolites including silymarin. Segmentation of elaiosomes using only image analysis is difficult, and this makes it impossible to quantify the elaiosome phenotypes. This study proposes a new approach for semi-automated detection and segmentation of elaiosomes in milk thistle seed using the Detectron2 deep learning algorithm. One hundred manually labeled images were used to train the initial elaiosome detection model. This model was used to predict elaiosome from new datasets, and the precise predictions were manually selected and used as new labeled images for retraining the model. Such semi-automatic image labeling, i.e., using the prediction results of the previous stage for retraining the model, allowed the production of sufficient labeled data for retraining. Finally, a total of 6,000 labeled images were used to train Detectron2 for elaiosome detection and attained a promising result. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Detectron2 in detecting milk thistle seed elaiosomes with an accuracy of 99.9%. The proposed method automatically detects and segments elaiosome from the milk thistle seed. The predicted mask images of elaiosome were used to analyze its area as one of the seed phenotypic traits along with other seed morphological traits by image-based highthroughput phenotyping in ImageJ. Enabling high-throughput phenotyping of elaiosome and other seed morphological traits will be useful for breeding milk thistle cultivars with desirable traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the various therapeutic benefits and high tolerance of orally administered silybin, poor water-solubility can be the main restrictive physicochemical feature, which results in low oral bioavailability in the absorption. A milk thistle nanocrystal formulation (HM40) was prepared using a modified wet-milling method. Comprehensive characterization was performed to determine the physical morphology, crystallinity, and physicochemical properties. The long-term stability was evaluated over 24 months. In vitro silybin release was assessed at pH 1.2 for 2 h, followed by pH 6.8 for 4 h. Finally, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats and healthy human volunteers. HM40 exhibited a nanocrystal structure maintaining crystallinity and enhanced the solubility and dissolution of silybin compared to that of the raw material. The stability over 24 months revealed consistent surface morphology, particle size, silybin content, and solubility. In vitro release profiles indicated a significant increase in the silybin release from HM40. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that HM40 showed 2.61- and 1.51-fold higher oral bioavailability in rats and humans, respectively, than that of the reference capsule. HM40 formulation presents a stable and promising approach for the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble silybin, with the potential for use in pharmaceutical formulations containing milk thistle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Milk thistle has long been used in the treatment of liver and biliary disorders. In the present study, to make a long-acting delivery system for silibinin (SBN, a major active constituent of milk thistle seeds with antioxidant and hepatoprotective function), mesoporous silica composite nanoparticles (NC) were synthesized and coated with RBC membrane. Methods: A modified Stöber method was used for NC synthesis, which was then characterized using FE-SEM, DLS, TEM, FTIR, and EDAX techniques. A suitable lysis buffer was used to prepare RBC-ghost, and sonication was used to coat SBN-loaded NC (SBN-NC). The RBC-ghost coated SBN-NC (SBN-NC-RBCG) was evaluated by SDS-PAGE, Bradford, TEM, EDAX, and DLS methods. SBN release was then compared for the SBN-NC and SBN-NC-RBCG samples. Key findings: the RBC membrane proteins were recovered from the coating of SBN-NC-RBCG, and SBN release was sustained over 24 h when compared with the SBN-NC. Conclusions: Overall, through prolonging circulation in the bloodstream and evading the immune system, the developed system can improve SBN bioavailability in liver inflammation and fibrosis conditions that need further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) is a globally and widely used medicinal plant that contains silymarin. This plant has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular‐protective, and neuroprotective effects. Plant quality, yield, and phytochemicals, especially silymarin content, change under various conditions like drought stress. Therefore, this research studied plant growth regulators (PGRs) like salicylic acid, spermidine, and brassinosteroid to increase plant tolerance to drought stress. Experimental treatments include different levels of irrigation (25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% field capacity), and foliar spraying including salicylic acid (75 and 150 mg/L), spermine (70 and 140 mg/L), and brassinosteroid (1 and 1.2 μM), separately, and water as a control and a secondary factor. The results revealed that the highest amount of leaf phenolic compounds was observed in the highest drought stress level (25%) and 75 mg/L salicylic acid application. Furthermore, brassinosteroid at different concentrations and salicylic acid (75 mg/L) increased leaf flavonoid content compared to other treatments. In 50% field capacity, foliar application of salicylic acid (150 mg/L) significantly increased seed yield by approximately 75% compared to control under the same stress level. Brassinosteroid application (1 μM) under 75% field capacity significantly increased the seed's taxifolin amount by 159%. Additionally, salicylic acid noticeably increased the silychristin concentration. The concentration of silydianin in the seed has also been increased under drought stress and foliar spraying with PGRs. Compared to the control, using spermidine below 75% field capacity caused an increase in its concentrations by over seven times. The highest silybin A amount was obtained in 50% field capacity and foliar150 mg/L salicylic acid. Taxifolin, silychristin, silydianin, silybinin B, iso‐silybinin A, and iso‐silybinin B compounds were identified in the seed extract. Generally, foliar spraying using plant growth regulators increased the number of silymarin compounds under drought stress conditions and field cultivation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the anti-aging effect of Silybum marianum extract (SME) on skin aging mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal). The mice were divided into 6 groups. The mouse model of skin aging was induced by subcutaneous injection of D-gal (1 g/ (kg·d)) on the back for 6 weeks. Body weight, skin water content, skin oxidative stress index, HYP and HA levels of mice in each group were measured. HE staining was used to evaluate the skin injury. The relative mRNA expressions of collagen I, collagen III, MMP-1 and MMP-3 in skin were detected by RT-qPCR. The relative expressions of Nrf2 (nucleus), Keap1 and HO-1 in skin were detected by Western blotting. The results show that percutaneous application of all three doses of SME increase the skin water content, alleviate the skin injury, increase the levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px, decrease the level of MDA, increased the levels of HYP and HA, increase the relative expression of collagen I and collagen III mRNA, decrease the relative expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA, increase the relative expression of Nrf2 (nucleus) and HO-1 protein, and decrease the relative expression of Keap1 protein in D-gal-induced aging mice (P<0.05). ML385 inhibits the activation of Nrf2 pathway and weakens the anti-aging effect of SME (P<0.05). This study shows that percutaneous application of SME has a good anti-aging effect on skin aging mice induced by D-gal, and Nrf2 pathway mediates the anti-aging effect of SME. SME may be a kind of anti-aging daily skin care material with high development value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, a herbaceous plant with a long history in traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, particularly in Europe, which has attracted attention for its remarkable therapeutic effect. This review systematically summarizes the research progress in the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, comprehensive utilization and synthetic biology of S. marianum. Up to now, more than 20 types of flavonolignan components have been isolated from S. marianum. In addition, the rearch on fatty acids and triterpenoids is also constantly improving. Among them, silybin is the most active compound in flavonolignans components. Its pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, hypoglycaemic, neuroprotective and immunoregulatory properties. The use of coniferyl alcohol and taxifolin as substrates to produce silybin and isosilybin under the action of enzyme catalysis is the commonly used biosynthetic pathway of silymarin, which provides support for a comprehensive analysis of the synthetic pathway of silymarin. In addition to medicinal use, the extracts of plants also have broad application prospects in the production of food, healthcare products, cosmetics and other aspects. In addition, the chemical composition, pharmacological mechanism and synthetic biology of S. marianum need to be further studied, which is very important for its clinical efficacy and resource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytolacca dodecandra (L' Herit), or 'Endod', is one of the widely known medicinal plants in Ethiopia. Berries of the endod have been used as a detergent for centuries. The present study was aimed to test the hepatoprotective effects of the plant against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in rats. Mice of either sex were used for oral acute toxicity tests and APAP-induced lethality tests. Hepatoprotective experiments were done on male rats using 2 g/kg of APAP to induce liver damage. Liver enzymes, total bilirubin (TB), and lipid profile were determined. Liver tissues were also examined histopathologically to see a morphologic change in the control and experiment groups. The protective effect of the plant extract was also tested through sodium pentobarbital (SPB)-induced sleeping time. A significant increase in serum levels of liver enzymes, TB, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TGs) was seen from oral administration of 2 g/kg APAP. Total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were decreased. Serum levels of all parameters were reversed to normal after administration of silymarin 100 mg/kg and, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract. A significant dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect of Phytolacca dodecandra Methanol Root Extract (PDME) was seen in terms of LDL. Histopathological investigations and SPB-induced sleeping time confirmed the findings of biochemical analysis. The findings of the present study indicate that PDME protected the liver from APAP injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver lipid dysregulation is one of the major factors in the decline of production performance in late-stage laying hens. Silymarin (SIL), a natural flavonolignan extracted from milk thistle, is known for its hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering properties in humans. This study evaluates whether SIL can provide similar benefits to late-stage laying hens. A total of 480 68-week-old Lohmann Pink laying hens were randomly assigned into 5 groups, each group consisting of 6 replicates with 16 hens each. The birds received a basal diet either without silymarin (control) or supplemented with silymarin at concentrations of 250, 500, 750, or 1,000 mg/kg (SIL250, SIL500, SIL750, SIL1000) over a 12-week period. Results: The CON group exhibited a significant decline in laying rates from weeks 9 to 12 compared to the initial 4 weeks (P = 0.042), while SIL supplementation maintained consistent laying rates throughout the study (P > 0.05). Notably, the SIL500 and SIL750 groups showed higher average egg weight than the CON group during weeks 5 to 8 (P = 0.049). The SIL750 group had a significantly higher average daily feed intake across the study period (P < 0.05), and the SIL500 group saw a marked decrease in the feed-to-egg ratio from weeks 5 to 8 (P = 0.003). Furthermore, the SIL500 group demonstrated significant reductions in serum ALT and AST levels (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and total cholesterol at week 12 with increasing doses of SIL (P < 0.05). SIL also positively influenced liver enzyme expression (FASN, ACC, Apo-VLDL II, FXR, and CYP7A1; P < 0.05) and altered the cecal microbiota composition, enhancing species linked to secondary bile acid synthesis. Targeted metabolomics identified 9 metabolites predominantly involved in thiamin metabolism that were significantly different in the SIL groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that dietary SIL supplementation could ameliorate egg production rate in late stage laying hens, mechanistically, this effect was via improving hepatic lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota function to achieve. Revealed the potentially of SIL as a feed supplementation to regulate hepatic lipid metabolism dysregulation. Overall, dietary 500 mg/kg SIL had the best effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk thistle is one of the most popular ingredients in the liver protection products market. Silymarin is the main component of milk thistle and contains multiple isomers. There have been few studies focusing on the compositional ratios of silymarin isomers. In this study, we developed an HPLC method for the separation and quantification of silymarin isomers, thereby elucidating their compositional ratios. Through the analysis of more than 40 milk thistle extract products on the market, we found that the ratios, specifically Ratio 1 (the silybin B content to the silybin A content, SBNB/SBNA) and Ratio 2 (the sum of the contents of silybin B and isosilybin B to the sum of the contents of silybin A and isosilybin A, (SBNB + IBNB)/(SBNA + IBNA)), are highly consistent across milk thistle extracts, averaging approximately 1.58 and 1.28, respectively. Furthermore, such ratios were verified in milk thistle seed samples. This study introduces significant findings concerning the stable ratios among silymarin isomers in milk thistle extracts and seeds, thereby offering an innovative approach for quality assurance of milk thistle extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are a good source for lead molecules in drug discovery and development. However, many compounds derived from fungi were not evaluated for their bioactivity against economic, agricultural, and public health pests. Twelve fungal secondary metabolites (1-12) were evaluated for herbicidal activity against Silybum marianum and insecticidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae. Among the tested metabolites, brefeldin A (6) and 6-eopxy-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-one (11) showed potent herbicidal activity against S. marianum with complete inhibition of seed germination at 500 mg L-1. Compound 6 revealed an exceptional herbicidal activity as it caused complete inhibition of root growth and strong reduction in shoot growth (I = 74.5%) and germination (10.0%) at 25 mg L-1. In addition, dehydroaustin (9), phomaxanthone A (4) and deacetylphomaxanthone A (5) displayed a potent toxicity against fourth larval instar of C. pipiens with LC50 values of 3.27, 57.03 and 63.50 mg L-1, respectively. Based on the results of this study, compounds 4-6, 9 and 11 should be developed as natural pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silymarin, derived from Silybum marianum , has recently demonstrated its potential to improve health in conditions such as obesity and metabolic disturbances. Understanding the impact of nutraceuticals on intestinal morphology is crucial for developing supplements that promote a higher quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of nutraceutical supplementation with silymarin on the morphology of the small intestine. Sixty-day-old adult male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: one receiving a standard chow (control) and the other receiving a novel silymarin supplement (experimental). Following the experimental period, the animals were euthanized, and fragments of the small intestine were collected for histochemical analysis using Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff with Alcian blue staining techniques. Our results revealed an increase in the number of villi per analyzed field in the experimental group, accompanied by a decrease in basic mucin, crypt depth, mucosal thickness, and villus spacing. In conclusion, this novel nutraceutical supplementation may play a crucial role in modulating small intestine morphology and enhancing absorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Milk thistle seed oil is still not a well-known edible oil. Silybum marianum (milk thistle), is present in several countries and is the only known representative of the genus Silybum. However, Silybum eburneum, which is an endemic plant in Spain, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, is considered a marginalized species. The present work is the first report that gives information on the lipid and phenolic profiles of Tunisian S. eburneum seed oil compared to those of Tunisian S. marianum seed oil. In addition, the antioxidant properties of these oils were determined with DPPH, FRAP, and KRL assays, and their ability to prevent oxidative stress was determined on human monocytic THP-1 cells. These oils are characterized by high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids; linoleic acid and oleic acid are the most abundant. Campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and β-amyrin were the major phytosterols identified. α-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol found. These oils also contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds. The diversity and richness of Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum seed oils in unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols are associated with high antioxidant activities revealed by the DPPH, FRAP, and KRL assays. In addition, on THP-1 cells, these oils powerfully reduced the oxidative stress induced by 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol, two strongly pro-oxidant oxysterols often present at increased levels in patients with age-related diseases. Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum seed oils are therefore important sources of bioactive molecules with nutritional interest that prevent age-related diseases, the frequency of which is increasing in all countries due to the length of life expectancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of synthetic antioxidants has been limited due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. Therefore, studies to find new herbal compounds have been considered in the treatment, reduction and prevention of oxidative effects. At the current study, the ethanolic extract was prepared from the seeds, leaves and stems of milk thistle, Silybum marianum. After irradiation of the extracts with doses of 10, 20 and 30 KGy of gamma ray, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent at 263 nm, the percentage of DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity were investigated. On the results of free radical scavenging DPPH and ABTS tests: Seed extract and treated extracts by dose of 20 KGy gamma ray showed significant increase in TPC and antioxidant activity to leaves and stems and compare to the other doses of gamma rays, respectively (P<0.05). Therefore, componed on the harmful effects of synthetic antioxidants and the obtained results can be suggested replacing synthetic antioxidants with milk thistle seed in particular. In addition, Current results suggested that applying gamma irradiated milk thistle seed extract at a dose of 20 kGy as a functional feed additive for aquatic animals would be a promising strategy for protecting them from oxidative stress and inflammation induced especially by High-fat diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is the main abiotic agent for growth limiters and crop production. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of chitosan and salicylic acid on morphological and physiological parameters and fatty acids content under drought stress. The first factor was drought stress levels (Field capacity (F.C), 70% of F.C and 40% of F.C), the second factor was elicitors (control (C), 0.5 mM salicylic acid, 1 mM salicylic acid, 100 mg/L chitosan and 200 mg/L chitosan) and the third factor was sampling times (3, 7, 14, 21 days after drought stress) with three replications. According to the results, comparing the three drought stress levels, severe stress treatment (40% F.C) significantly reduced the growth traits of milk thistle. Foliar application of chitosan and salicylic acid significantly compensated for the reduction of growth traits in plants under drought stress, in which chitosan frequently had higher growth and tolerance than salicylic acid. The role of elicitors in reducing the stress negative effects on plant growth is often due to stimulating chlorophylls, reducing hydrogen peroxide levels, and production of antioxidant enzymes. In our findings, chitosan demonstrated an increase of 28.4, 10, and 8% in relative water content (RWC), chlorophylls, and catalase activity, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, salicylic acid revealed an increase of 29.3, 4, and 2% in the same parameters compared to the control. Besides, hydrogen peroxide in plants treated with chitosan and salicylic acid decreased by 20 and 15%, respectively. Besides, drought stress significantly reduced the predominant fatty acids in the seed, which elicitor application reduced the effect of stress slightly. Chitosan had a higher effect than salicylic acid in increasing fatty acids content. Foliar application of CHT and SA increased plant tolerance under drought stress. A comparison of two elicitors showed that CHT had a clear effect on plant development and amplification of defense systems against SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the effect of different new extraction methods including supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SC -CO2), microwave - assisted extraction (MAE), and also conventional Soxhlet extraction (CSE) were investigated on bioactive compounds recovery from Silybum marianum seed. The crude extraction yield (22.40± 0.15%) was obtained using CSE, while the efficiency of SC -CO2 and MAE were about 89 and 50% of those obtained using CSE. The highest free radical scavenging activity in terms of DPPH and HO radicals was obtained in an extract obtained using SC -CO2. From the TPC analysis, the highest and lowest value was determined in extracts obtained using SC -CO2 (102.93± 0.14 mg GAE/g) and CSE (14.50± 0.18 mg GAE/g), respectively. Fatty acid composition was analyzed using Gas Chromatography –Mass Spectrometry. Linoleic and oleic acids were determined as the main fatty acids. Finally, it can be concluded that S. marianum seed is a potential source of bioactive compounds and new extraction techniques of SC - CO2 and MAE could be suggested as promising methods to substitute conventional method for successful recovery of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new flavonolignan, sonyamandin (1), along with other known compounds was isolated from the aerial parts and seeds extracts of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) collected from Jordan. The known ones are ursolic acid (2), oleanolic acid (3), maslinic acid (4), oleic acid (5), β-sitosterol (6), β-, sitosteryl glucoside (7), apigenin (8), kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside (9), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glycoside (10), isosylibin A (11), isosylibin B (12), and silybin B (13). The absolute stereochemistry of 1 was confirmed by 2D NMR and CD analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous element with proven nephrotoxicity. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of polyphenolic components extracted from Silybum marianum and exhibited protective influences. However, SM bioactivity can be enhanced by its incorporation in chitosan (CS) through the use of nanotechnology. This work proposed to assess the protective influence of SM and its loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SM‐CS‐NPs) on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)‐induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Six groups were created randomly from 42 male Wistar rats and each one contains 7 rats (n = 7). Group I, acted as a control and received water. Group II received SM (15 mg/kg/day) and group III administered with SM‐CS‐NPs (15 mg/kg/day). Group IV received AlCl3 (34 mg/kg) and groups V and VI were treated with SM and SM‐CS‐NPs with AlCl3 respectively for 30 days. Results: AlCl3 administration significantly elevated TBARS, H2O2, and kidney function levels besides LDH activity. Whereas GSH, CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, and GR values were all substantially reduced along with protein content, and ALP activity. Additionally, significant alterations in lipid profile, hematological parameters, and renal architecture were observed. Moreover, TNF‐α, TGF‐β, and MMP9 gene expression were upregulated in kidney tissues. The administration of SM or its nanoparticles followed by AlCl3 intoxication attenuated renal dysfunction replenished the antioxidant system, and downregulated TNF‐α, TGF‐β, and MMP9 gene expression in renal tissues compared to the AlCl3 group. Conclusion: SM‐CS‐NPs have more pronounced appreciated protective effects than SM and have the proficiency to balance oxidant/antioxidant systems in addition to their anti‐inflammatory effect against AlCl3 toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of Taraxacum coreanum (known as dandelion) (TC) and TC mixtures with milk thistle (MT) or Aspergillus oryzae (AO) as feed additives on the immune response, milk quality, and milk production in Holstein cows over 6 weeks of administration. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two healthy Holstein dairy cows were provided 30 kg of total mixed ration (TMR) with no TC, 90 gm TC, 54 gm TC + 36 gm MT, or 54 gm TC + 36 gm AO 40% groups. The feed additives were supplied daily in two equal portions (per 45 gm) by topdressing the TMR for 6 weeks. Milk and blood samples were collected weekly. Results: In the TC-treated cows (TC, TC + MT, and TC + AO groups), significantly lower peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC) counts at 6 weeks and milk somatic cell counts (SCCs) at 4-6 weeks of administration were observed. Concentrations of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were notably elevated in cows treated with TC for 4-6 weeks, while levels of proinflammatory cytokines concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and chemokine (IL-8) were significantly reduced in TC-treated cows after 3-6 weeks of administration. Conclusion: These results suggested that TC or a TC mixture with other medicinal herbs supplementations enhanced the serum antioxidative activities and, consequently, might suppress the adverse immune response due to lower serum TNF-α and IL-8 release supported by lower WBC and SCC counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the need to provide the population with high-quality food products, especially socially vulnerable citizens, requires significant efforts to find raw materials of high nutritional value available for mass consumption and their effective utilisation. This underscores the urgency of identifying reserves of available food nutrients to ensure balanced nutrition for the population of Ukraine, particularly as psycho-emotional stress increases in the conditions of martial law. These studies aim to scientifically justify and develop the latest technologies for bread incorporating sprouted wheat grain, hop sourdough, pumpkin puree, milk thistle, and fermented wort concentrate, which increase nutritional value. This article investigated the physicochemical and technological properties of dietary supplements and plant raw materials, scientifically substantiated the rational concentration and parameters of the technological process for the production of functional bakery products with their use, and studied the organoleptic, physicochemical properties, and nutritional value of the developed bakery products.

The article focuses on milk thistle (Silybum marianum), an herb known for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating liver and kidney disorders. Topics include the plant's origins and global spread, its physical characteristics, and its modern applications in hepatoprotection, cardiometabolic health, and cancer treatment.

Abstract Introduction Silybum marianum commonly known as milk thistle is one of the most imperative medicinal plants due to its remarkable pharmacological activities. Lately, the antiviral activities of S. marianum extract have been studied and it showed effectiveness against many viruses. Objective Although most previous studies were concerned mainly with silymarin content of the fruit, the present study provides comprehensive comparative evaluation of S. marianum different organs’ chemical profiles using UPLC-MS/MS coupled to chemometrics to unravel potentially selective antiviral compounds against human coronavirus (HCoV-229E). Methodology UPLC-ESI-TQD-MS/MS analysis was utilized to establish metabolic fingerprints for S. marianum organs namely fruits, roots, stems and seeds. Multivariate analysis, using OPLS-DA and HCA-heat map was applied to explore the main discriminatory phytoconstituents between organs. Selective virucidal activity of organs extracts against coronavirus (HCoV-229E) was evaluated for the first time using cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay. Correlation coefficient analysis was implemented for detection of potential constituents having virucidal activity. Results UPLC-MS/MS analysis resulted in 87 identified metabolites belonging to different classes. OPLS-DA revealed in-between class discrimination between milk thistle organs proving their significantly different metabolic profiles. The results of CPE assay showed that all tested organ samples exhibited dose dependent inhibitory activity in nanomolar range. Correlation analysis disclosed that caffeic acid-O-hexoside, gadoleic and linolenic acids were the most potentially selective antiviral phytoconstituents. Conclusion This study valorizes the importance of different S. marianum organs as wealthy sources of selective and effective antiviral candidates. This approach can be extended to unravel potentially active constituents from complex plant matrices.

The group of innovative ingredients in cosmetic preparations includes bio-ferments (Bs), which are characterized by high bioactivity and biocompatibility, and one of the plants rich in bioactive compounds that has a beneficial effect on the skin and the body is Silybum marianum. Bio-ferments obtained from this plant are becoming increasingly useful as active ingredients in cosmetics. In the present study, four different bio-ferments were obtained by fermentation of pomace (B-P), extract (B-E), oil (B-O), and seeds (B-S) of milk thistle. Their biodegradability (%B), total polyphenols content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), and antimicrobial, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods), chelating (Fe2+ ions), and reduction (Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions) properties, as well as the acidity, were evaluated. The contact angle using the sessile drop method was assessed to investigate bio-ferments' impact on skin wettability. Finally, the content of selected phenolic acids in the Bs was evaluated using the HPLC method, while the lactic acid (LA) content was assessed using the GC-MS method. All bio-ferments were characterized by high polyphenols content (13.56 ± 0.10–15.28 ± 0.12 mmol GA/L B), chelating (0.08 ± 0.01–0.17 ± 0.01 mmol Fe2+/L B) and antioxidant activity (DPPH method, 2.41 ± 0.01–3.53 ± 0.01 mmol Tx/L B), and reducing Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, and LA were identified in Bs. The most increased antibacterial activity for B-P was observed for a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 250 μL/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 250 μL/mL). Simultaneously, B-S demonstrated the highest inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli (MIC = 125 μL/mL), emphasizing the varied antimicrobial profiles of these bio-ferments against different bacterial strains. Research on aerobic biodegradation demonstrated a high level of degradation (%B = 60 ± 1–65 ± 3), and all Bs were categorized as readily degradable according to the OECD classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present research describes the utilization of natural deep eutectic solvent in combination with ultrasound for the extraction of milk thistle polyphenols. The extracts obtained under different conditions were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective activities in Albino mice (in vivo). Methods: The extraction parameters involving liquid-to-solid ratio (S/L), ethanol-to-natural deep eutectic solvent ratio (EtOH/DES), extraction time (t), and ultrasound treatment time were investigated and optimized to enhance the recovery of bioactives, their phenolic content, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and radical scavenging capacity (RSC). Results and discussions: The extraction of milk thistle polyphenols using glucose/citric acid (1:1)-based natural deep eutectic liquid coupled with ultrasound for 1.0min under an S/L of 6.2, EtOH/DES 9, and extraction time of 120.8min offered 35.89 ± 2.29 g/100 g of crude extracts, which were three-fold higher than that by conventional solvent extraction (CSE). Each gram of milk thistle extracts thus obtained comprised 377.93 ± 6.17mg GAE of TPC and exhibited 298.70 ± 3.06 μmol TEAC and 93.16 ± 0.58 percent inhibition of DPPH free radicals. In addition, the administration of milk thistle extracts obtained as given above at 25 mg/Kg body weight in Albino mice significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the liver function parameters at the end of treatment (7 days). Conclusion: Overall, it was observed that NaDES in combination with medium-level ultrasound energy (700 watt) might work as a sustainable choice to enhance the recovery of bioactive phenolics from milk thistle powder without compromising their antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]