Variegated artichoke

The principal active flavonolignan of milk thistle, responsible for most of the hepatoprotective, antioxidant, membrane-stabilising and antifibrotic activity; also the form used in intravenous preparations for Amanita mushroom poisoning.

Contributes to the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of the silymarin mixture.

A strong radical scavenger within the complex that adds to antioxidant and cytoprotective effects.

Part of the flavonolignan complex contributing to overall antioxidant activity.

An antioxidant flavonoid that is the flavonoid partner in flavonolignan biosynthesis and adds to the free-radical scavenging of the extract.

The seed oil carries the lipophilic silymarin and provides tocopherols and phytosterols with additional antioxidant value.

Seeds are extracted and standardised to about 70-80% silymarin; typical supplemental doses are around 140 mg two to three times daily. Because silymarin is poorly water-soluble, phospholipid (phytosome) or micronised forms are used to improve absorption.

Crushed seeds (about 1 teaspoon) are simmered in water for 10-15 minutes and strained; a traditional liver tonic, though the low water solubility of silymarin makes teas far less potent than standardised extracts.

A standardised silibinin dihydrogen-disuccinate preparation is administered intravenously in hospital as an antidote for Amanita phalloides (death-cap) mushroom poisoning. This is a prescription hospital treatment, not a self-care preparation.

After removing the spines, young leaves, stalks and flower receptacles have historically been eaten as a vegetable, similar to artichoke, giving the plant its common name variegated artichoke.

In biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, 48 weeks of silymarin 700 mg three times daily reduced fibrosis scores versus placebo without significant adverse effects, although the primary histological endpoint of NAS reduction was not met.