Silymarin, the extract of milk thistle, and its major active flavonolignan silybin, are common products widely used in the phytotherapy of liver diseases. They also have promising effects in protecting the pancreas, kidney, myocardium, and the central nervous system. However, inconsistent results are noted in the different clinical studies due to the low bioavailability of silymarin. Extensive studies were conducted to explore the metabolism and transport of silymarin/silybin as well as the impact of its consumption on the pharmacokinetics of other clinical drugs. Here, we aimed to summarize and highlight the current knowledge of the metabolism and transport of silymarin. It was concluded that the major efflux transporters of silybin are multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP2) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) based on results from the transporter-overexpressing cell lines and MRP2-deficient (TR−) rats. Nevertheless, compounds that inhibit the efflux transporters MRP2 and BCRP can enhance the absorption and activity of silybin. Although silymarin does inhibit certain drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, such effects are unlikely to manifest in clinical settings. Overall, silymarin is a safe and well-tolerated phytomedicine.

The aims of this study were to develop the magnolol–chitosan films and study the positive effect of the combination of magnolol and chitosan. The addition of magnolol made the magnolol–chitosan films exhibit higher density (1.06–1.87 g/cm3), but the relatively lower water vapor permeability (12.06–7.36 × 10−11·g·m−1·s−1·Pa−1) and water content (16.10–10.64%). The dense and smooth surface and cross-section of magnolol–chitosan films were observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images. The interaction of magnolol and chitosan was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). After the addition of magnolol, the antioxidant capacity of magnolol–chitosan films was increased from 18.99 to 82.00%, the growth of P. aeruginosa was inhibited and the inhibition percentage of biofilm formation was increased from 30.89 to 86.04%. We further verified that the application of magnolol–chitosan films on chilled pork significantly reduced the increases in pH value, inhibited the growth of microorganisms and extended the shelf life. Results suggest that magnolol had a positive effect on magnolol–chitosan films and could be effectively applied to pork preservation.

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A new magnetic adsorbent pellets(MP) was prepared with electric flocculation sludge as raw material by technologies of alkaline impregnation, heat activation and composition with vermiculite. Its decolorization performance for treating methylene blue (MB) dye wastewater is studied, and its structure was analyzed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, XPS, BET and magnetic hysteresis curve. The results showed that the best prepare condition of MP is that impregnation time of 15 % KOH solution is 48 h and a subsequent calcination at 600 °C for 60 min, m(vermiculite)/m(sludge)=1.0. Characterization analysis illustrates that the activated sludge and vermiculite has been successfully composited. And the organic waste in sludge is converted into activated carbon and the iron species are transformed into Fe3O4. It has mesoporous structure and magnetic property and can be separated from the solution by an external magnetic field. In addition, MP was effective on treating MB wastewater, the decoloration is 85 % at the dosage of 10 g L−1 when the contact time is 84 h and the initial concentration of dye is 10 mg L−1 and 20 mg L−1. The sludge utilization technology investigated in this work is a new process which could reduce the emission, protect the environment and yield the useful by‐product.

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