Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Potential of Milk Thistle Extracted Phytoconstituents: A Leading Role in Cancer Treatment

The utilization of natural plants as potent sources for curing chronic diseases has increased researchers’ attention toward herbal and nutraceutical treatments. Silymarin, a flavonolignan, is derived from the natural plant milk thistle, Silybum marianum. It is utilized in both clinical and experimental settings to protect against a variety of diseases. Silymarin has only a modest influence on the pharmacokinetics of numerous medicines in vivo. The pharmacokinetics of silymarin indicate that it is readily absorbed and metabolized in phases I and II. Its conjugation can be found in phase II, and it is ultimately eliminated in urine and bile. The main active ingredients, silibinin and silymarin, are protective against cancer in a wide range of tissues. Additionally, it exhibited anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic effects. Several types of research have proven the chemopreventive effects of silymarin in both in vivo and in vitro models of tumor development. It could be used as an addition to existing treatments for cancer survivors. This review includes the chemistry of silymarin, mechanistic studies on the potential biological targets of silymarin/silibinin for chemoprevention, several putative molecular pathways, and human clinical trials.