Clinical Applications of Silybum marianum in Oncology

Abstract

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb that is increasingly used in oncology research and treatment settings. Historically, it has been used to treat liver and biliary disorders and has been used in detoxification and cleansing protocols. However, milk thistle is increasingly being investigated for its use in adult and pediatric populations for oncology indications. Possible indications during cancer treatment include cleansing and detoxification after chemotherapy, preventing hepatotoxicity during chemotherapy, treating hepatotoxicity after chemotherapy, and potentiating chemotherapy and radiation therapy as an adjunctive treatment. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn., plant family Asteraceae) seed is an herb commonly used by Western herbalists and naturopathic physicians to treat liver disorders in adults. The German Commission E currently recommends its use for dyspeptic complaints, toxin-induced liver damage, and hepatic cirrhosis and as a supportive therapy for chronic inflammatory liver conditions. 1 However, milk thistle is increasingly used in research and clinical practice in adult and pediatric populations in the oncology setting. It is being used for detoxification after chemotherapy, as a hepatoprotectant during chemotherapy, as an adjunct to cancer treatment, and to ameliorate long-term effects of cancer treatment. Researchers are actively investigating its role as a chemopreventive agent and possible treatment of cancer.Much of milk thistle's current clinical use is based on recent research on the actions of silymarin, milk thistle's flavonoid complex. The plant in its whole form, however, has a long history of use that has not been fully explored. In its native Mediterranean region, it has been used for liver ailments since the Greco-Roman era, and today it remains in folk use as a digestive aid, aperient, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, hypotensive, styptic, diuretic, and general tonifier.2 Other confirmed folk applications include its use for pruritus, hemorrhoids, colic, malaria, and psoriasis, and as a galactagogue.3 Milk thistle traveled to North America with the Europeans and was used by North American physicians to treat gallstones, vomiting in pregnancy, amenorrhea, uterine hemorrhage, hematuria, painful dysuria, and congestion of the liver, spleen, or kidneys. 2One of the more recent directions of milk thistle research is its use in oncology. Silymarin and silibinin (1 of the components of silymarin, also called silibin or silybin) have been evaluated for their ability to exert direct cytotoxic effects, mitigate toxicity of certain anticancer agents, and enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Milk thistle is increasingly used as an adjunct treatment for many types of cancer, with recent research also suggesting cancer prevention applications.In this article we describe current and potential clinical applications of milk thistle in the oncology setting. Milk thistle use is usually based on historical indications. Very little clinical research has been conducted in ...

Study on Silybum marianum Seed through Fatty Acids Comparison, Peroxide Tests, Refractive Index and Oil Percentage

“…Historically, it has been used to treat liver and biliary disorders and has been used in detoxification and cleansing protocols. 9 The aim of this study was investigation on Silybum marianum oil plant. …”

Silymarin content in Silybum marianum extracts as a biomarker for the quality of commercial tinctures

“…In vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties have also been documented (Gupta et al, 2000;Pendry et al, 2006;Shaker et al, 2010;Zhao et al, 2011;Agarwal et al, 2013) as well as clinical trials testing silymarin in cancer therapy (Invernizzi et al, 1993;Schrӧder, F.H. et al, 2005;Greenlee, H. et al, 2007;Shahbazi, F. et al, 2015;Elyasi, S. et al, 2016).…”

Advances in the Use of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

“…In their article in this issue, Greenlee and colleagues 8 provide an overview of current clinical applications of milk thistle and studies supporting its use in the oncology setting. They also present rationales and preliminary studies supporting the use of milk thistle in cardiovascular, renal, and diabetic conditions.…”