Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herb with strong antioxidant properties. Milk thistle is a gold standard drug for treating liver disorders, but may also have beneficial effects on the central nervous system. For example, milk thistle extract containing silymarin has been shown to be an effective neuroprotective agent. This may related to the ability of flavonoids and flavonolignans contained within milk thistle to be able to provide antioxidant support for neuronal tissue, thus decreasing the risk of neuronal damage and death. In addition, milk thistle may also alter the pathways that lead to β-amyloid accumulation, inflammatory pathway activation and neuronal death and thereby may decrease the risk of alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Milk thistle is nontoxic and has an excellent safety record, and as such shows promise as a particularly beneficial neuroprotective agent. Milk thistle also provides general antioxidant support and as such can improve general health and well being.
Milk thistle extracts containing silymarin may modulate the activity of the oestrogen receptor β and this may be one way that it is able to have neuroprotective effects.
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