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Milk ThistleThe herb is native to the Mediterranean region, where it has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments, especially those involving liver problems. The active ingredient in the herb is believed to be Silymarin, and some actually call the herb by that name. From anti aging perspective, clinical research has shown that there is some promise in using the herb for improved liver function. In addition to ongoing research on how the herb may benefit in situations involving liver problems, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Nursing Research are also studying the herb for cancer prevention. Milk Thistle - StudiesThe efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2006 Dec;20(12):1036-9. Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Tehran, Iran. Inhibition of telomerase activity and secretion of prostate specific antigen by silibinin in prostate cancer cells. J Urol. 2004 May;171(5):1934-8. Silibinin ( found in Milk thistle ) causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells by regulating CDKI-CDK-cyclin cascade, and caspase 3 and PARP cleavages. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Apr 29. Silibinin modulates CDKI-CDK-cyclin cascade and activates caspase 3 causing growth inhibition and apoptotic death of human TCC cells, providing a strong rationale for future studies evaluating preventive and/or intervention strategies for silibinin in bladder cancer pre-clinical models. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Apr 29. Silymarin extraction from milk thistle using hot water. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2004 Feb;114(1-3):559-68. New prospects of using milk thistle (Silybum marianum) preparations. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2004 Jul-Aug;67(4):77-80. The Clinical Utility of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) in Cirrhosis of the Liver. J Herb Pharmcother. 2002;2(2):11-7. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatol. 1989 Jul;9(1):105-13.
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