Milk thistle is a flowering plant of the daisy family. It has been used to treat liver and gallbladder problems for more than 2,000 years in Europe. Laboratory research suggests that milk thistle may reduce the growth of liver cancer cells; however, human studies in this area report mixed results.
Dandelion, a yellow-flowered composite herb, is also used for the treatment of liver cancer; however, there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether dandelion is truly effective for liver cancer. If you want to use milk thistle or dandelion, be sure to consult with your doctor first.
Hepatomata
There is new evidence suggesting that milk thistle may play a role in slowing down the progression of liver cancer. Several cell culture and laboratory studies reviewed by the University of Minnesota suggest that milk thistle can cause tumors to shrink or slow their growth, but it is not clear whether milk thistle will have the same effect on liver cancer in humans.
Liver Toxicity
Hepatotoxicity, or liver toxicity is a major health issue. In fact, exposure to toxic chemicals and reactive oxygen species, ROS, may cause liver cancer. Several studies suggest that milk thistle helps prevent liver damage by protecting liver cells from toxic chemicals and drugs, according to the Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota. These toxins can damage important cellular components, including cell membranes, protein and DNA, allowing the cells to accumulate mutations including those that foster the development of cancer.
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Evidence from a few studies suggest that milk thistle can make the side effects of chemotherapy less intense. Chemotherapy drugs can cause severe liver toxicity. Substances in milk thistle can reduce changes in liver function that may be brought on by chemotherapy. Results from these experiments are not clear, and most studies have been poorly designed. Therefore, more research is needed before a definite recommendation on milk thistle can be made.
Dandelion and Liver Cancer
A study done by S.H. Hong and colleagues at the Kyung Hee University in South Korea reported that dandelion inhibited growth of human hepatoma in vitro. However, the exact mechanisms of action by which dandelion exerts cell growth-inhibitory effects have yet to be elucidated. One proposed mechanism suggests that dandelion extract inhibits cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion. The results, published in "Life Sciences" in January 2004, also showed that dandelion induces cytotoxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines through tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, secretion.
References
- "Life Sciences"; Taraxacum officinale induces cytotoxicity through TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha secretion in Hep G2 cells; Koo HN, Hong SH, Song BK, Kim CH, Yoo YH, Kim HM; January 2004
- University of Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center: Milk Thistle; June 18, 2010
- Wilkes University; Medical Attributes of Silybum Marianum - Milk Thistle; Amanda Gryskewicz, et al.; July 2007
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center: Milk Thistle
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Milk Thistle; March 2009
