Milk thistle is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries in Europe in the treatment of liver diseases. It has potential benefit in oncology. In fact, milk thistle has been tested in various tumor types with promising effects. Its proponents claim that milk thistle works by shrinking solid tumors, but as of 2011 more research is needed to determine that. Consult with your doctor first if planning to use milk thistle.
Antioxidant Property
Milk thistle has some anticancer activities by suppressing the proliferation of tumor cells, according to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. It protects against cancer based on its antioxidant effects. Milk thistle has shown to protect against liver cancer by decreasing the activity of carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as reactive oxygen species, or ROS. Elevated levels of ROS damage cells, causing changes to DNA and thereby can contribute to cancer.
Cell-Cycle Arrest
Wilkes University researchers have examined the effects of silymarin on cell-cycle phase distribution in hepatic cancer cells. The result of this experiment showed that silymarin may inhibit the growth and survival of human cancer cells via cell-cycle arrest and down-regulation of NF-kappaB, which is an activator protein that is implicated in some cancers.
Cervical Cancer
The active components of milk thistle inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells in vitro, according to a study published in "Cancer Letters" in July 1999. Milk thistle phytochemicals allow normal cells to resist abnormal conditions such as faulty DNA repair, thus preventing genetic alternations or mutations that allow cancer cells to evolve, according to Neehar Bhatia and colleagues at the AMC Cancer Research Center in Colorado.
Safety Issues
Some adverse effects from the use of milk thistle have been reported. These include stomach upset and diarrhea. Milk thistle should not be given to infants and young children. As of 2011, it is not clear whether milk thistle is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid milk thistle if you are pregnant until more information is available.
References
- 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
- Cancer Letters: Inhibition of Human Carcinoma Cell Growth and DNA Synthesis by Silybinin, an Active Constituent of Milk Thistle: Comparison with Silymarin; Neehar Bhatia, et al.; July 15, 1999
Member Comments