Evaluation of the Egyptian crop of silybum marianum l gaertn

ABSTRACT

The Egyptian crop of Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. as well as its variety S. marianum var. albiflora Eig. was assessed with the aim of evaluating its content of the antihepatotoxic flavolignans collectively known as silymarin substance. Qualitatively, using TLC and HPLC, the flavolignans content was proved to be identical in composition with that of the imported silymarin substance, Legalon, which is marked by a local drug company. The highest content of the Egyptian Silybum marianum total flavolignans is present in the fruits of the ripe unopened capitulae [4.204% w/w]. Such high yield of the active constituents in the fruits of this very common wild plant and in conjunction with the reported high content of the fruit edible oil [more than 30% w/w] proved the value of the Egyptian crop as a potential source