Search Results (177)

Endometriosis involves oestrogen-dependent chronic inflammation and the abnormal proliferation of ectopic endometrial tissue. Conventional hormonal therapies suppress systemic oestrogen, but do not fully address local oxidative and inflammatory signalling. This review provides a mechanistic synthesis of recent molecular evidence. This evidence is on four FDA-recognized (Food and Drug Administration) medicinal plants. These are Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Silybum marianum. The review highlights their capacity to modulate key intracellular pathways. These pathways are implicated in endometriosis. The review covers the integration of phytochemical-specific actions within NF-κB- (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), COX-2-(Cyclooxygenase-2), PI3K/Akt-(PI3K/Akt signaling pathway), Nrf2/ARE-(Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) and ERβ-(Estrogen receptor beta) mediated networks, which jointly regulate cytokine secretion, apoptosis, angiogenesis and redox balance in endometrial lesions. Curcumin downregulates COX-2 and aromatase while activating Nrf2 signalling, shogaol from ginger suppresses prostaglandin synthesis and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, isoliquiritigenin from liquorice inhibits HMGB1-TLR4–NF-κB (High Mobility Group Box 1, Toll-like receptor 4) activation, and silymarin from milk thistle reduces IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and miR-155 (microRNA-155) expression while enhancing antioxidant capacity. Together, these phytochemicals demonstrate pharmacodynamic complementarity with hormonal agents by targeting local inflammatory and oxidative circuits rather than systemic endocrine axes. This mechanistic framework supports the rational integration of phytotherapy into endometriosis management and identifies redox-inflammatory signalling nodes as future translational targets. Full article

The fatty acid composition of some seed oils from plants of emerging interest was studied. The benefits towards human health were evaluated by taking into account current recommendations regarding dietary intake of essential, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids and by discussing the pathologies for which such fatty acids exert protective action. Species studied were Hemp (Cannabis sativa), Flax (Linum usitatissimum), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Perilla (Perilla frutescens), Borage (Borago officinalis), and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa). Seeds were subjected to cold milling in order to maintain their original nutritional characteristics. Chemical analyses were performed via the dual-detector gas chromatography technique by means of Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS) and by applying a modified version of the AOAC Official Method 991.39, thanks to which it was possible to obtain the fatty acid composition expressed as mg per gram of oil: such information is not always available in the literature for the species studied here. Comparison with the fatty acid international guidelines about the recommended intakes in g/day was made. This allowed us to evaluate whether such oils are suitable to be used as fatty acid food supplements to rebalance the Western diet, which is shown to be inadequate by numerous studies. Results show that seed oils from Cannabis sativa, Linum usitatissimum, and Perilla frutescens are suitable to be used as food supplements while seed oils from Silybum marianum, Borago officinalis, and Nigella sativa are not. It is important to note that any possible benefits from other parts of the plant (leaves, stems, flowers, and roots) are not studied or questioned by the present research, which focuses solely on fatty acids in the oil extracted from the seeds. Full article

During the grain and cereal production process, whether during harvesting, processing, or storage, errors can occur, compromising product quality and potentially leading to contamination by fungi, which produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. When fed to animals, these contaminated grains and cereals can cause several negative effects on animal health, impacting their production performance, including immunosuppression, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and reproductive problems. To minimize the problems caused by mycotoxins, anti-mycotoxin additives, also known as adsorbents, are used. These are inert materials that bind to mycotoxins and are excreted in feces, preventing their action within the animal’s body. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-mycotoxin product based on bentonite, activated charcoal, milk thistle extract, and yeast cell wall in the diet of mycotoxin-contaminated lambs on animal health and performance. Thirty lambs were divided into three homogeneous groups: control (without mycotoxins or additives), mycotoxin (with mycotoxins), and anti-mycotoxin (mycotoxins and additive). The mycotoxins used for feed contamination were aflatoxin (AFLA) (200 ppb), fumonisin (FUMO) (15 ppm), zearalenone (ZEA) (500 ppb), and deoxynivalenol (DON) (1.5 ppm). The anti-mycotoxin additive was used at a dose of 1 kg/ton of concentrate. Parameters of zootechnical performance, hematological profile, serum biochemistry, and oxidative status were evaluated. The group that ingested the contaminated concentrate with mycotoxin had a lower average daily weight gain (ADG) when compared to the control and anti-mycotoxin groups. Ingestion of a mycotoxin-contaminated diet increased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, which are indicators of liver damage. However, when the anti-mycotoxin additive was used, the increase in these enzymes was modest and lower than in the mycotoxin group. Ingestion of a mycotoxin-containing concentrate increased levels of oxidative stress biomarkers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and reduced glutathione (GST), demonstrating that the mycotoxin challenge was effective in causing oxidative stress. However, when the diet was contaminated with mycotoxins and supplemented with the anti-mycotoxin additive, the levels of ROS and TBARS were similar to those of the negative control group. We concluded that adding the anti-mycotoxin product to the lambs’ diets prevented or minimized the problems caused by mycotoxin consumption, allowing these lambs to have ADG, and feed efficiency similar to the control group. Full article

Silybum marianum L., commonly known as milk thistle, is traditionally recognized for its hepatoprotective properties. This is primarily due to silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Although many studies have reported on its biological activities, critical syntheses that compare extraction technologies and highlight its protective roles beyond liver health remain limited. Despite the abundant literature, the protective effects of milk thistle against skin damage remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we performed a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Our research covered publications up to February 2025 and used predefined keywords, including extraction methods for the release of silymarin, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies relevant to its protective effects against skin damage. The evidence indicates that silymarin exerts protective effects on the skin, including the prevention of photoaging, the management of acne, the promotion of wound healing, and the defense against UV-induced damage, through the activation of Nrf2 and the preservation of the extracellular matrix. These results highlight the promising dermatological benefits of silymarin, as well as the need for further clinical studies and the optimization of environmentally sustainable extraction techniques for large-scale production. Full article

This study explores a novel feeding strategy in the nutrition of dairy goats, utilizing milk thistle cake supplements to mitigate milk oxidation determined by the presence of oxidized linseed oil in diets. An experimental trial involving 30 dairy goats was conducted with three groups: a control group fed a diet with 7% fresh linseed oil (CON), an experimental group fed a diet where the fresh linseed oil from the CON group was replaced with oxidized linseed oil (LOO), and an experimental group fed a diet with 7% oxidized linseed oil and 10% milk thistle cake (LOM). The milk thistle cake had a rich antioxidant composition (vitamin E, xanthophylls, and polyphenols) with potential beneficial effects on milk degradation parameters. The results showed that the LOM diet led to a decrease in milk casein content (p = 0.041) while positively influencing the concentration of iron (13.24 vs. 14.93 mg/kg). In terms of fatty acids, the results suggested that milk thistle cake can counteract the negative effects of the oxidized oil (increasing SFAs, decreasing PUFAs and MUFAs) by modulating the content and reducing its negative effects. Moreover, the LOM group positively influenced the milk antioxidant potential by increasing the levels of antioxidant compounds (vitamin E, p < 0.001; total polyphenols, p < 0.01; antioxidant capacity, p < 0.0001). Moreover, an improvement in the milk primary and secondary degradation parameters was observed, i.e., a significant decrease in the levels of conjugated dienes (p = 0.023) and p-anisidine (p < 0.0001). The study demonstrated the benefits of using milk thistle cake in goat nutrition as it helps reduce the oxidative effects induced by oxidized linseed oil on the nutritional quality of milk and its degradation. Full article

Hepatic oxidative stress is a key driver in liver injury pathogenesis, with D-galactose (D-gal) modeling serving as an established inducer of accelerated oxidative damage. Silibinin (SLB), a flavonolignan from milk thistle, shows therapeutic promise through potent antioxidant activity and gut–liver axis modulation. This study investigated whether the hepatoprotective effect of SLB against oxidative stress depends on gut microbiota regulation. Using mouse models with gut microbiota ablation by oral antibiotics or direct oxidative stress induction by D-gal (150 mg/kg), SLB treatment (200 mg/kg) was administered. The protective mechanisms were evaluated through the Nrf2/ARE pathway, target gene expression, gut microbiota profiling, and cecal metabolomics. Results demonstrated that SLB significantly alleviated D-gal-induced hepatic oxidative stress (e.g., reduced MDA by 33.3%), but this protection was markedly weakened after antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion (e.g., a loss of efficacy exceeding 50%). Integrated omics revealed that antibiotics caused a severe reduction in unclassified_Muribaculaceae (a butyrate producer, decreased by 80%), impairing butyrate-mediated Nrf2/Keap1 activation. Simultaneously, the absence of Parabacteroides led to accumulated primary bile acids and inhibited secondary bile acid production (e.g., taurochenodeoxycholate reduced by 75%), further disrupting redox homeostasis. Conclusion: Silibinin’s mitigation of hepatic oxidative stress is gut microbiota-dependent, highlighting the therapeutic potential of microbiota-targeted antioxidant strategies for oxidative stress-related pathologies. Full article

Taxifolin is a natural flavonoid found in a variety of plants, including Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum), that has attracted attention for its multifaceted pharmacological properties, including cardioprotective effects. Through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, taxifolin has shown significant therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. This review highlights the cardioprotective effects of taxifolin in preclinical models of atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Taxifolin contributes to its cardioprotective effects through key mechanisms such as modulation of pathways such as PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3, inhibition of NADPH oxidase, and modulation of nitric oxide production. Recent studies have shown that taxifolin can affect glucose metabolism by modulating sodium–glucose transporter (SGLT) expression, potentially enhancing the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. Given the emerging role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of cardiovascular disease, further investigation of the interaction of this pathway with taxifolin may provide new therapeutic insights. Although taxifolin has multifaceted potential in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, further studies are needed to better understand its mechanisms and validate its efficacy in different disease stages. This review aims to provide a rationale for the clinical application of taxifolin-based cardiovascular therapies and suggest directions for future research. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba and milk thistle seed extract (GB/MT) supplementation on antioxidant status, liver function, and general health in healthy dogs. Six French Bulldogs were enrolled in a crossover design and fed commercial diets supplemented with GB/MT at either 1 or 2 g/day for 21 days. Blood samples were collected at baseline (day 0), during supplementation (days 14 and 21), and after withdrawal (day 28) to assess serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH/GSSG), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), albumin, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Results showed that GB/MT supplementation had no significant effect on antioxidant markers (SOD and GSH/GSSG) at either dose. However, both supplementation levels led to significant decreases in ALT and increases in serum albumin levels after 21 days. No significant differences were observed in other liver function or general health parameters. These findings suggest that GB/MT supplementation does not enhance antioxidant enzyme activity under non-stressed conditions but may support liver health by reducing liver enzyme levels and enhancing protein synthesis. The 1 g/day dose was found to be as effective as the higher dose, suggesting a cost-effective approach for maintaining liver function in dogs through dietary botanical supplementation. Full article

This study compares the nutritional and metabolic properties of unconventional cold-pressed vegetable oils available on the Polish market. Twelve oils—milk thistle, evening primrose, flaxseed, camelina sativa, black cumin, pumpkin seed, sesame, mustard seed, sea buckthorn, blue poppy seed, borage, and safflower—were examined. The chosen oils were investigated based on their fatty acids profiles, total phenolic compounds (TPC), tocopherols, and pigment contents. Despite the high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content raising concerns about oxidative stability, the significant tocopherol levels and polyphenols content contribute to antioxidative protection. These oils’ favorable hypocholesterolemic, antiatherogenic, and antithrombogenic properties were highlighted by key nutritional indices, showing potential benefits for cardiovascular health. These results suggest that these oils are a promising dietary supplement for promoting both cardiovascular health and sustainability, owing to their rich content of essential fatty acids and bioactive compounds. Moreover, high correlations were found between theoretical and experimental established oxidative stability of the tested oils at the ending stage of the thermostat test. Full article

Consumer interest in vegetarian, ethical, and clean-label foods is reviving the use of plant-derived milk coagulants. Cardosins from Cynara cardunculus (“thistle”) are aspartic proteases with strong clotting activity, yet their technological impact in cheese remains under-explored. This study compared a commercial thistle extract (PC) with traditional bovine rennet rich in chymosin (AC) during manufacture and 60-day ripening of Caciotta cheese. Classical compositional assays (ripening index, texture profile, color, solubility) were integrated with scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional surface reconstruction, and descriptive sensory analysis. AC cheeses displayed slower but sustained proteolysis, yielding a higher and more linear ripening index, softer body, greater solubility, and brighter, more yellow appearance. Imaging revealed a continuous protein matrix with uniformly distributed, larger pores, consistent with a dairy-like sensory profile dominated by milky and umami notes. Conversely, PC cheeses underwent rapid early proteolysis that plateaued, producing firmer, chewier curds with lower solubility and darker color. Micrographs showed a fragmented matrix with smaller, heterogeneous pores; sensory evaluation highlighted vegetal, bitter, and astringent attributes. The data demonstrate that thistle coagulant can successfully replace animal rennet but generates cheeses with distinct structural and sensory fingerprints. The optimization of process parameters is therefore required when targeting specific product styles. Full article

The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of milk thistle seed (MTS) and Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE), both individually and in combination, on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, fecal gas emissions, and cytokine responses in n = 120 crossbred [(Landrace Yorkshire) × Duroc] weaning piglets with an initial body weight of 6.53 ± 1.24 kg. Pigs were selected based on sex and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 6 weeks. The experimental diets were as follows: (1) CON—control/basal diet; (2) AJE (CON + 0.10% AJE); (3) MTS (CON + 0.10% MTS); and (4) CMB—combo feed (CON + 0.05% of AJE + 0.05% of MTS). Each treatment consisted of six replicates with five pigs (three ♀ and two barrows ♂) per pen. The incorporation of MTS has the potential to enhance (p < 0.05) the average daily gain in weaning pigs, particularly when used alone or in combination with AJE. But there were no significant effects or adverse effects observed on other growth parameters such as body weight, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio. Also, there were no notable changes found in nutrient digestibility, fecal score, fecal gas emissions, or cytokine production. In summary, MTS and AJE, administered alone or in combination, reveal similar growth outcomes, suggesting that both additives could serve as potential options to improve animal performance without adverse effects. Full article

Background: Silymarin, a flavonoid complex, and the main bioactive component of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is known for its hepatoprotective properties but suffers from poor bioavailability due to its low solubility and extensive first-pass metabolism. Method: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a novel micellar milk thistle formulation designed to enhance silymarin absorption, compared to an unformulated/standard milk thistle product, in a small-scale human bioavailability trial. In a randomized, double-blinded, crossover study, 16 healthy participants received a single dose of either the micellar formulation (LipoMicel Milk Thistle; LMM) or the standard formulation (STD) at a total daily dose of 130 mg silymarin. Blood concentrations were measured over 24 h, and key pharmacokinetic parameters—maximum plasma concentration (C_max), time to reach maximum concentration (T_max), and area under the curve (AUC)—were calculated. Tolerability and safety were assessed through adverse event monitoring during the study period. Results: Results demonstrated a significant increase in bioavailability with the micellar formulation, with 18.9-fold higher C_max (95% CI: 1.9–30.7 ng/mL vs. 74.4–288.3 ng/mL; p = 0.007) and 11.4-fold higher AUC_0–24 (95% CI: 7.40–113.5 ng·h/mL vs. 178–612.5 ng·h/mL; p = 0.015). T_max was 0.5 (95% CI: 0.5–4.0) hours for the micellar formulation versus 2.5 (95% CI: 0.5–8.0) hours for the standard product (p = 0.015) indicating faster absorption of LMM. The standard formulation exhibited a significantly longer mean residence time compared to the LMM formulation (95% CI: 4.4–7.5 h vs. 2.8–4.2 h; p = 0.015). Conclusions: No adverse events or significant safety concerns were observed in either group. Compared to the standard, the micellar formulation showed superior pharmacokinetic outcomes, suggesting it may enhance silymarin’s clinical efficacy in liver health. Full article

The sustainable production of healthy structured lipids (SLs) using oils extracted from agro-industry by-products or non-conventional lipid sources is of utmost importance in the framework of a circular bioeconomy, toward a zero-waste goal. In this study, low-calorie triacylglycerols (TAGs) containing a long-chain (L) fatty acid (FA) at position sn-2 and medium-chain (M) FAs at positions sn-1,3 (MLM type SL) were obtained from virgin cold-pressed milk thistle (51.55% linoleic acid; C18:2), grapeseed (66.62% C18:2), and apricot kernel (68.61% oleic acid; C18:1) oils. Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis with capric acid (C10:0) or interesterification with ethyl caprate (C10 Ethyl) in solvent-free media were performed. In batch reactions, immobilized Rhizomucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme RM) was used as a biocatalyst. For all tested oils, new TAG (SL) yields, varying from 61 to 63%, were obtained after 6 h of interesterification. Maximum new TAG yields were reached after 6, 24, and 30 h of acidolysis with grapeseed (64.7%), milk thistle (56.1%), or apricot kernel (69.7%) oils, respectively. Continuous acidolysis and interesterification of grapeseed oil were implemented in a packed-bed bioreactor, catalyzed by immobilized Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Lipozyme TL IM). Throughout 150 h of continuous operation, no lipase deactivation was observed, with average SL yields of 79.2% ± 4.1 by interesterification and 61.5% ± 5.91 by acidolysis. Full article

Detailed research analysis of the contents of eight toxic trace elements in non-cereal flours was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the release of elements from the flour matrixes after in vitro digestion was investigated. It also examines dietary intake and evaluates the metal pollution index. The highest digestibility value was measured with banana flour (92.6%), while grape seed flour was the least digestible, only 44%. The most abundant element was Al, followed by Ni, which was present (except banana flour) at concentrations of more than twice that found in food generally. The flax and milk thistle seed flours showed two orders of magnitude higher amounts of Cd than those measured in other flours. When consuming a 100 g portion of non-cereal flours, a consumer weighing 60 kg is exposed to the highest dietary exposures to Al and Ni (in the order of µg/kg bw); the exposures for the intake of Cd, Sn, Hg, As, Ag, and Pb are of the order of ng/kg bw. Grape seed flour was assessed as a significant contributor to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value of Al (16%); in addition, significant contributions of banana, pumpkin, grape, and milk thistle flours to the PTWI value of Hg, ranging from 15 to 22%, were determined. Furthermore, the contributions of milk thistle and flax seed flours to the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) value of Cd were also recognized as significant (specifically, 26 and 49%, respectively). The contributions of milk thistle, flax seed, and pumpkin seed flour to tolerable daily intake for Ni were estimated between 19 and 57%. The margin of exposure values for developmental neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiovascular effects obtained for the intake of Pb were considered safe. During the digestion process, the toxic elements that were the most retained in the matrices of grape and pumpkin seed flour were easily released from the banana flour. The retention factor, which was above 50% for Hg in the grape seed flour, was examined as the highest. All toxic trace elements, which were found to still be part of the undigested portion of the flours, could theoretically pass into the large intestine. In the future, more research is needed to clarify the possible carcinogenesis effect of toxic trace elements in the colon. Full article

Background: Silibinin (SLB), a flavonoid derived from milk thistle, exhibits promising therapeutic properties but faces significant clinical limitations due to poor solubility and bioavailability. Objectives: This study focuses on the development and characterization of SLB-loaded nanoemulsions designed for mucosal delivery. Methods: Nanoemulsions were prepared using the spontaneous emulsification method, guided by pseudoternary phase diagrams to determine selected component ratios. Comprehensive characterization included particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, rheological properties, and surface tension. Mucoadhesive properties were evaluated using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) to quantify interactions with mucin layers. Results: The combination of Capryol 90, Tween 80, and Transcutol in selected proportions yielded nanoemulsions with excellent stability and solubilization capacity, enhancing the solubility of silibinin by 625 times compared to its intrinsic solubility in water. The ternary phase diagram indicated that achieving nanoemulsions with particle sizes between 100 and 300 nm required higher concentrations of surfactants (60%), relative to oil (20%) and water (20%), with formulations predominantly composed of Smix (surfactant and cosurfactant mixture in a 1:1 ratio). Rheological analysis revealed Newtonian behavior, characterized by constant viscosity across varying shear rates and a linear torque response, ensuring ease of application and mechanical stability. QCM-D analysis confirmed strong mucoadhesive interactions, with significant frequency and dissipation shifts, indicative of prolonged retention and enhanced mucosal drug delivery. Furthermore, contact angle measurements showed a marked reduction in surface tension upon interaction with mucin, with the SLB-loaded nanoemulsion demonstrating superior wettability and strong mucoadhesive potential. Conclusions: These findings underscore the suitability of SLB-loaded nanoemulsions as a robust platform for effective mucosal drug delivery, addressing solubility and bioavailability challenges while enabling prolonged retention and controlled therapeutic release. Full article