pharmacognocy

1. Prepared by the students:
Zehra faruq & Sivie hajo
Supervised by:
Mr. Karzan Awni
‫الحليب‬ ‫شوك‬
‫قيڤار‬

2. introduction
General description
uses
Side effects
toxicity
dosage
contraindecations

3. Introduction
Silybum marianum, commonly called blessed thistle or milk
thistle, is a rosette-forming biennial that is native to the
Mediterranean region (southern Europe, western Asia and
northern Africa.In the first year, a showy rosette of deeply
lobed, obovate, spiny green leaves (to 20" long) with distinctive
white marbling appears. Leaves and stems exude a milky sap
when cut, hence the common name of milk thistle. Flowers are
followed by seed as the plant completes its biennial (sometimes
annual) life. An extract (silymarin) from the seeds of this plant
has been used for many years in the treatment of a variety of
medical problems including liver disorders, gall bladder
disorders, high cholesterol and mushroom poisoning

5. Dosage forms

6. General description
Appearance
Silybum marianum is an annual or biennial herb that
ranges from 2-6 ft. (0.6-1.8 m) in height.
Foliage
Leaves have shiny, green upper surfaces and are noticeably
variegated with white markings. Basal leaves are 6-28 in.
(15.2-71.1 cm) long with spiny margins. Much smaller
stem leaves clasp the stem.
Flowers
Purple thistle flower heads develop at the apex of the
stems. They are 0.8-2.5 in. (2-6.4 cm) in diameter at the
base and are enclosed in a projecting, spiny involucre.
Flowers from April to July.

7. Fruit
Fruit are black and brown achenes that are about 0.3 in.
(0.85 cm) long, slightly flattened with a ring of bristles at
the apex.
Ecological Threat
S. marianum invades roadsides, ditches, disturbed areas
and fertile fields. It is native to the Mediterranean
region. S. marianum can be poisonous to livestock,
especially during periods of wilt from drought, mowing or
herbicide treatment.

9. Uses
• Silibinin is used as anti-oxidant and anti
neoplastic.
• Silychristin is used as anti-inflammatory.
• Silydianin is also used as anti oxidant.
• Silibinin is used as hepato-protective agent.
• Its used as anti depressant.
• Its used as demulcent.

10. Toxicity
Milk thistle based supplements have been measured to
have the highest mycotoxin concentrations of up to
37 mg/kg when compared to various plant-based
dietary supplements.
Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a
severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis). An allergic reaction is more common in
people who are allergic to other plants in the
Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds
and chrysanthemums.

11. Side effect
Some of the common side effects of Silymarin
are:
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Intestinal gas.
• Fullness or pain in the stomach.
• Loss of appetite.
• Rashes and itching.

12. Who should not take ?
• Excess body acid.
• low amount of potassium in the blood
• high blood pressure
• chronic heart failure
• liver problems
• decreased kidney function
• diabetes

13. References
• Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. on 2015-06-26.
Retrieved 2014-10-17.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS
Database. USDA. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
• Tucker JM, et al. Nitrate Poisoning in Livestock (1961)
• Auld, B. A., K.M. Menz, and R.W. Medd. 1979. Bioeconomic
model of weeds in pastures. Agro-Ecosystems 5: 69-84.
• Edelbrock, J. 1978. Thistle Management in Marin Headlands,
Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Unpublished
Manuscript.