MILK THISTLE (SILYBUM-MARIANUM) FOR THE THERAPY OF LIVER-DISEASE

Silymarin, derived from the milk thistle plant, Silybum marianum, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for diseases of the liver and biliary tract. As interest in alternative therapy has emerged in t he United States, gastroenterologists have encountered increasing numb ers of patients taking silymarin with little understanding of its purp orted properties. Silymarin and its active constituent, silybin, have been reported to work as antioxidants scavenging free radicals and inh ibiting lipid peroxidation. Studies also suggest that they protect aga inst genomic injury, increase hepatocyte protein synthesis, decrease t he activity of tumor promoters, stabilize mast cells, chelate iron, an d slow calcium metabolism. In this article we review silymarin's histo ry, pharmacology, and properties, and the clinical trials pertaining t o patients with acute and chronic liver disease. (C) 1998 by Am. Cell. of Gastroenterology).