Phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities of Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle): A critical review

Abstract

Silybum marianum (SM) has attracted substantial attention because it is been used as a gold medicinal herb in traditional folk medicine for treatment of liver diseases and it possesses other wondrous health benefits. To support its functional attributes, various investigations have been carried out to find out its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-amnesia, cardio-protection, hepatic protective activities, the efficacy in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, sepsis and burn prevent and application on veterinary under publications of certain types of articles including “original research and short communications”. Some publications either reiterate previously reports or create slight mistakes in performing methods, the problem associated quality performance to claim exactly biological activities found in the literature. Furthermore, correct expressions and original citations of the relevant modelsareprovided to interpret and clarify. The authors hope that this work will be helpful to give insight knowledge for readers, researchers, reviewers, and editors who are interested in the related field of the SM studies.