Standardized Milk Thistle Extract

INCI Name: Silybum Marianum Extract
Part Used: Seed
Chemistry: 80% Silymarin – Milk Thistle contains flavonoids (Silybin, Silydianinm Silychristin known collectively as Silymarin).
Plant Description: A spiny biennial growing to 5 feet with white-veined leaves and purple flower heads. Milk Thistle is native to the Kashmir region of India and Pakistan, but now grows throughout the temperate world. It has been used in Europe as a remedy for depression and liver problems for thousands of years.
Milk Thistle Attributes: Studies have indicated the following:
Powerful anti-oxidant. Scavenges free radicals.
Inhibits Photoaging (2,4,9)
Provides substantial UVB protection (1,3,4,5,6)
– Protects Epidermal Keratinocytes
– Stimulates DNA repair
Protects against UVA induced oxidative damage (7)
Anti-inflammatory (1,4,8)
Skin Lightening effect – Melanin Reduction (8)
Moisturizing, inhibits transepidermal water loss (9)
Smoother skin (9)
Applications: Skin Care
Hair Care
Sun Care
References:
  1. Katiyar, Santosh K, Korman, Neil J, et al, “Protective Effects of Silymarin Against Photocarcinogenesis in a Mouse Skin Model”, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol 89 556-566, 1997
  2. Moushumi Lahiri-Chatterjee, Santosk K Katiyar, et al, ” A Flavonoid Antioxidant Silymarin, Affords Exceptionally High Protection against Tumor Promotion in the SENCAR Mouse Skin Tumorigenesis Model”, Cancer Research, 59 622-632, 1999
  3. Katiyar SK, Mantena SK, Meeran SM, “Silymarin protects epidermal keratinocytes from ultraviolet radiation-induced apoptosis and DNA damage by nucleotide excision repair mechanism”, PLoS One; 6(6):e21410. Epub 2011
  4. Vaid M, Katiyar SK, “Molecular mechanisms of inhibition of photocarcinogenesis by silymarin, a phytochemical from milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.), Int J Oncol. 36 (5); 1053-60, May 2010
  5. Katiyar SK, Meleth S, Sharma SD, “Silymarin, a flavonoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) inhibits UV-induced oxidative stress through targeting infiltrating CD11b+ cells in mouse skin”, Photochem Photobiol. 84(2): 266-71, Mar-Apr 2008
  6. Singh PR, Agarwal R., “Cosmeceuticals and silibinin”, Clin Dermatol. 27(5): 479-84, Sept-Oct 2009
  7. Alena Svobodova, Adela Zdarilova, et al, “Flavonolignans from Silybum marianum moderate UVA-induced oxidative damage to HaCa T keratinocytes.” Journal of Dermatological Science; 48, 213-224, 2007
  8. Akhtar Rasul, Naveed Akhtar, et al, “Assessment of anti erythmic and skin whitening effects of milk thistle extract”, African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol. 5(20), 2306-2309, Nov 2011
  9. Akhtar Rasul, Naveed Akhtar, “Anti-aging potential of a cream containing milk thistle extract: Formulation and in vivo evaluation”, African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 11 (6) 1509-1515, Jan 2012