Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, contains chemical constituents such as silibinin, silychristin, silydianin, and tocopherols. It has various uses including as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective agent, and for treating depression. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting inflammatory processes, protecting the liver from toxins, and preventing blood clots. Potential side effects include increased bile flow and mild loose stools. It can interact with various drugs and should be avoided in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for those with certain medical conditions.

2. Silybum marianum

3. Silybum marianum
Introduction
Chemical
Constituents
Uses
Mechanism of
Action
Side effects Toxicity Dosage Contraindications Drug Interactions

4. INTRODUCTION
Family:
Asteraceace
Botanical
Name:
Sillybum
marianum
English Name:
Milk thistle
Urdu Name:
Oont Katara
Part Used:
Seeds, leaves,
flowers and
roots

5. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Silibinin
Silychristin
Silydianin
Tocopherols
Fatty acids
Silymarin

6. USES
Silibinin is used as anti-oxidant and anti-neoplastic
Silychristin is used as anti-inflammatory
Silydianin is also used as anti-oxidant
Silibinin is used as hepato-protective agent
It is used as anti-depressant
It is used as demulcent
It is used as laxative
Tocopherols prevent from brain stroke

7. MECHANISM OF ACTION
Silymarin
• Hinder inflammatory process by inhibiting by inhibiting neutrophil migration and kuppfer
cells inhibition
• Also inhibit the inhibitory mediators, i.e., prostaglandins and leukotrienes, release of
histamine from basophils
Silymarin
• Protect live from Hepato-toxins and thus increase regenerative capacity of liver
• Block the Hepato toxins binding site
Tocopherol
• Tocopherol inhibit the platelets to from blood clot thus prevent the brain stroke

8. MECHANISM OF ACTION
Silychristin
• Inhibit the prostaglandin synthetase to treat inflammation
Silymarin
• Increases the hepatic content of glutathione (Both oxidized and
reduced)
• Glutathione is a powerful oxidant, detoxify a number of contents

9. TOXICITY
Appears to be low
Toxic

10. SIDE EFFECTS
Increased
bile flow
Laxative
effect
Slow rate
of clotting
May cause
mild loose
stools

11. DOSAGE
Typical dose is 240-900mg twice
or thrice a day of the extract
Take 2ml of the tincture thrice a
day

12. DRUG INTERACTIONS
May cause
interactions with
Anti Psychotics
butyrophenones
Phenothiazines
Phenytoin Halothane
Anti allergic
drugs
Fexofenadine
Anti-
hyperlipidemic
drugs
Lovastatin
Anti-anxiety
drugs
Alprazolam
Anti platelet or
Anti-coagulant
Warfarin

13. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Should be
avoided during
pregnancy and
breast feeding
Should be
avoided by
people allergic
to this plant
Must be
avoided in case
of hormone
related cancers
Must be
avoided in
hemophilia