Silybum marianum (Carduus marianus)

Abstract

S. marianum is a medicinal plant which has been widely used in traditional European medicine. Nowadays silymarin, the purified extract of the fruits of S. marianum, and its main constituent, silybin, are used in the treatment of diseases of the liver. This review deals with the botany, chemistry, pharmacology and the clinical efficacy of silymarin, silybin and of a recently synthesized silybin derivative, Silipide. The cosmetical applications of silymarin are also shortly described