The Role of Milk Thistle in Cancer Prevention

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell division and proliferation are hallmarks of the complex and widespread group of disorders known as cancer. Even with all the advancements in medicine, cancer is still a serious worldwide health problem.

I. Cancer Causes

·       Genetic Factors: A major contributing factor to the development of cancer is genetic mutations. A person may either inherit or acquire these mutations during their lifetime. To solve the riddles surrounding the onset of cancer, it is essential to comprehend how genetic predisposition and environmental variables interact.

·       Environmental variables: The chance of acquiring cancer is increased by exposure to specific environmental variables. Tobacco smoke, UV light, and certain chemicals are examples of carcinogens that can damage cellular DNA and cause malignant cells to develop. Diet and exercise habits are two other lifestyle factors that affect cancer risk.

·       Viral Infections: Viral infections have been connected to some malignancies. For example, hepatitis B and C raise the risk of liver cancer, whereas the human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical cancer. Determining specific preventative measures requires an understanding of these viral relationships.

II. Cancer Types

·       Carcinomas: The epithelial cells that cover the interior and exterior surfaces of the body are the source of carcinomas, which are the most prevalent kind of cancer. Common malignancies such as those of the breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal regions fall under this group.

·       Sarcomas: Sarcomas arise in the connective tissues of the body, including blood vessels, muscles, and bones. Although they are less common than carcinomas, they nonetheless need specific treatment methods.

·       Leukemias are tumors that impact the bone marrow and blood. An excess of immature blood cells results from abnormalities in blood cell synthesis, which impairs blood's ability to function normally.

·       Lymphomas: The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system. Lymphomas attack this system. The two primary subtypes are non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

·       Cancers of the Central Nervous System: These tumors impact the brain and spinal cord. Examples of malignancies of the central nervous system are medulloblastomas, meningiomas, and gliomas; each requires a unique treatment strategy.

Progress in the Management of Cancer

·       Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to identify and eliminate cancerous cells. In this quickly developing area, therapeutic vaccinations, CAR-T cell therapy, and checkpoint inhibitors are intriguing directions.

·       Targeted Therapies: These treatments target certain chemicals that contribute to the development of cancer. By tailoring treatment according to the genetic composition of a patient's cancer cells, precision medicine enables less harmful and more successful treatments.

·       Genomic Medicine: New insights into the genetics of cancer are made possible by developments in genomic research. Oncology is being revolutionized by personalized treatment strategies that are based on the distinct genetic makeup of each patient's disease.

·       Liquid Biopsies: In liquid biopsies, blood samples are examined for signs of genetic abnormalities and biomarkers associated with cancer. This non-invasive method helps with relapse identification, treatment response tracking, and early detection.

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

With a history spanning more than 2,000 years, milk thistle, technically known as Silybum marianum, is a tribute to the lasting tradition of natural treatments. The active component of the plant, silymarin, which is found in its leaves, seeds, and fruits, is what gives it its therapeutic properties. Milk thistle is mostly known for supporting liver function and has been used to treat liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatitis C. But when the scientific complexities of this herbal treatment are worked out, we find a range of health advantages that go beyond liver support.

Clinical investigations validate the traditional use of milk thistle as a cytoprotectant for liver illnesses, cancer therapy and prevention, and as a supportive strategy for Amanita phalloides poisoning. Despite the complexity brought about by the varied character of these investigations, milk thistle has an exceptional overall safety profile, with very few reports of major toxicity and adverse effects [1].

Silymarin may be used to prevent or cure infectious infections due to its anti-inflammatory qualities, which also regulate important mediators such as nitrous oxide, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The preventive effects of cytoprotection are numerous and include growth factor expression enhancement, leukotriene production inhibition, and promotion of neuronal differentiation.

Exploring Health Benefits

·       Liver Health: The main benefit of milk thistle is its capacity to assist liver function. Silymarin is thought to protect liver cells from oxidative stress and toxin-induced damage while also promoting liver regeneration.

·       Skin Health: Milk thistle contains compounds that may be beneficial to the skin, especially antioxidants. These antioxidants provide a natural method of preserving the vitality of the skin by actively guarding against harm brought on by free radicals.

·       Bone Health: New research indicates that milk thistle may be able to improve bone density and stop bone deterioration. The intrinsic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities of silymarin are responsible for this advantage.

·       Weight Loss: Milk thistle's capacity to treat variables linked to obesity is the basis for its association with weight loss. Milk thistle may help with weight control by lowering inflammation and insulin resistance.

·       Prevention of Cancer: Research indicates that silymarin may have anti-cancer effects, by preventing the proliferation of certain cancer cells. Nevertheless, further investigation is necessary to confirm these first results.

·       Support for the immunological System: It has been noted that milk thistle both boosts and calms an overreactive immunological response that is linked to chronic inflammation. Its double function makes it seem like an ally for immune system health in general [2].

Role of Milk Thistle in Cancer

The main ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, has drawn interest from scientists because of possible cancer-fighting benefits. The use of milk thistle as a cancer therapy has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, despite certain trials showing encouraging outcomes. The main bioactive complex being studied is silymarin, an extract found in milk thistle seeds. Silymarin, an antioxidant that has been identified, has been investigated for its ability to fend against cellular damage. Numerous activities have been demonstrated in lab settings, such as cellular membrane stability, liver tissue regeneration, detoxification pathway activation, growth inhibition of certain cancer cell lines, and direct cytotoxic effect against cancer cells [3].

Numerous studies demonstrate the medicinal value of silymarin and milk thistle in the treatment of cancer. A thorough analysis of their therapeutic potential and associated patents highlights their promise as adjunctive therapy for colon, prostate, and skin malignancies. In addition, the study positions silymarin as a natural substance with potential applications as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. However, it is important to recognize that current studies on milk thistle and cancer are still in their infancy, and larger, more thorough clinical trials will be required to definitively prove efficacy.

Milk thistle extracts, long known as "liver tonics," have been the subject of much research due to their efficacy in avoiding or treating hepatotoxicity brought on by reactive drug metabolites or environmental pollutants. At least seven flavonolignans and one flavonoid make up the main commercial product, silymarin, which contains a sizable amount of milk thistle extract. Silibinin, a semipurified fraction with anticancer effects, is produced from silymarin. The distinction between silymarin and silibinin is crucial, highlighting the need for accurate nomenclature and the application of chemically specified combinations in scientific investigations.

Pharmacokinetic research suggests that milk thistle extracts have little chance of causing medication interactions. It has been discovered that silibinin, a silymarin component, works in concert with some chemotherapeutic drugs' anticancer effects. However, cautions are suggested as phase II, high-dose investigations proceed. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of exacting nomenclature and using pure compounds or well-specified combinations in preclinical and clinical investigations to guarantee the validity of studies on milk thistle as a possible therapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer [4].

Preclinical and Clinical Trials of Milk Thistle

A major component of milk thistle, silymarin, has been shown in pancreatic cancer research to protect INS-1 rat islet β cells against amylin-induced apoptosis. The GLP-1R/PKA signaling pathway's activation was linked to this defence mechanism. Furthermore, silymarin derivative silibinin demonstrated anti-apoptotic properties by upregulating PKA and GLP-1R expression levels. Silymarin and other drugs have demonstrated different effects on gemcitabine absorption in Capan-2 pancreatic cancer cells and efflux proteins when used in conjunction with gemcitabine therapy.

Moreover, silymarin exhibited anti-cancer and anti-cachectic properties in pancreatic cancer via suppressing mTOR signaling and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). Among these were the substantial inhibition of glycolytic activity, the promotion of global metabolic reprogramming, and the development of cancer cells. Furthermore, the possible synergistic effects of silymarin with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were investigated, indicating the potential for apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation.

Silymarin showed chemopreventive benefits against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colorectal cancer in animals in colorectal cancer research. It significantly inhibited the growth of polyps and abnormal crypt foci. To improve silymarin's bioavailability and solubility, it has been encapsulated in nanovehicles such as liposomes and micelles. Nano-silymarin is more cytotoxic against colorectal cancer cells than free silymarin [5].

Investigations into silymarin's effects on the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway in colitis-associated cancer revealed that it can inhibit the growth of intestinal tumor cells, the phosphorylation of STAT3, and inflammatory cytokines. As a result, the quantity and size of AOM/DSS-induced polyps were significantly reduced.

Silymarin showed chemopreventive benefits against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colorectal cancer in animals in colorectal cancer research. It significantly inhibited the growth of polyps and abnormal crypt foci. To improve silymarin's bioavailability and solubility, it has been encapsulated in nanovehicles such as liposomes and micelles. Nano-silymarin is more cytotoxic against colorectal cancer cells than free silymarin.

Investigations into silymarin's effects on the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway in colitis-associated cancer revealed that it can inhibit the growth of intestinal tumor cells, the phosphorylation of STAT3, and inflammatory cytokines. As a result, the quantity and size of AOM/DSS-induced polyps were significantly reduced [5].