Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant traditionally used as a liver tonic. However, evidence suggests that milk thistle extracts might be useful in the treatment of mood disorders. For example, in one study, researchers investigated the mood elevating effects of silymarin, a collection of phytochemicals extracted from milk thistle. Mice were exposed to experimental stress designed to induce anxiety or depression and then administered silymarin extracts. The results of the study showed that silymarin was significantly able to reduce both anxiety and depression in the mice. Further, the antidepressant effect of silymarin was comparable to that of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, and the anxiolytic effect of the silymarin was comparable to that of the anxiolytic drug diazepam. The researchers also noted that inflammation was reduced in brains of the mice following silymarin, diazepam and fluoxetine administration. Therefore milk thistle extracts containing silymarin may have significant mood elevating effects in animals.
Milk thistle contains a group of flavonolignans and flavonoids collectively called silymarin. Silymarin extracts may have significant mood elevating effects.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
