Natural Source of Silymarin

Silymarin is a flavonoid found in milk thistle.  Silymarin is actually three phytochemicals in one:  silybin, silidianin, and silicristin.  Silybin is believed to be the most active phytochemical and is largely responsible for the health benefits of silymarin

Function of Silymarin in plants

Silymarin is believed to provide antioxidant protection when plants are under stress

Health Benefits of Silymarin

Skin protection – Silymarin can protect cells against UV-B damage by blocking free radicals.

Liver protection – Silymarin is a very popular dietary supplement for protecting the liver against damage.  One possible mechanism is to prevent lipid peroxidation that can be caused by alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, drugs and other toxins.

Diabeties – Silymarin is also reported to decrease excess insulin production and reduce the dose needed for insulin administration.

Milk Production – Silymarin has been suggested to improve milk production, however, the European Union’s Food Safety Authority rejected the claim of silymarin to do his.  Further research is needed in this area to understand the silymarin for this application.

Chemical properties of Silymarin

MW 482.44

Formula: C25 H22 O10