Abstract
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (milk thistle), grown as a medicinal plant in several countries, is considered as a weed in pastures and cereal crops but also as an interesting plant for biomass production. As an additional contribution to the full exploitation of a such promising species, two Sardinian populations of S. marianum were investigated for chemical composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties at vegetative and reproductive stages. Dry matter yield was affected by the phenogical stage and differed between populations, ranging from 148 to 246 g plant−1. Chemical composition did not differ between populations. Antioxidant capacity detected by means of ABTS [(2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt)] and by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) methods ranged from 3.45 to 5.42 and 3.83 to 6.32 mmol/100 g dry weight of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, respectively. Differences in antioxidant capacity and bioactive compound contents in the different plant organs were found and also a significant linear correlation between antioxidant capacity and total phenolics and flavonoids, at flowering compared to vegetative stage. Research highlights antioxidant capacity in different organs of milk thistle and encourages the exploitation of biomass also as functional food, source of natural antioxidants and as a complementary fodder.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abenavoli L, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F (2010) Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytother Res 24:1423–1432
Ahmad N, Fazal H, Abbasi BH, Anwar S, Basir A (2013) DPPH free radical scavenging activity and phenotypic difference in hepatoprotective plant (Silybum marianum L.). Toxicol Ind Health 29:460–467
Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Azam A, Khan AM (2014) The optimization of biodiesel production from a novel source of wild non-edible oil yielding plant Silybum marianum. Int J Green Energy 11:589–594
Alemardan A, Karkanis A, Salehi R (2013) Breeding objectives and selection criteria for milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.]. Not Bot Horti Agrobot 41:340–347
Atzei AD (2003) Le piante nella tradizione della Sardegna. In: Delfino (ed) Sassari, p 158
Balian S, Ahmad S, Zafar R (2006) Anti-inflammatory activity of leaf and leaf callus of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. in albino rats. J pharmacol 38:213–214
Bhattacharya S (2011) Phytotherapeutic properties of milk thistle seeds: an overview. J Adv Pharm Educ Res 1:69–79
Cai YZ, Luo Q, Sun M, Corke H (2004) Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of 112 Chinese medicinal plants associated with anticancer. Life Sci 74:2157–2184
Cajarville C, Gonzâlez J, Repetto JL, Rodriguez CA, Martinez A (1999) Nutritive value of green forage and crop by-products of Cynara cardunculus. Ann Zootech 48:353–365
Campion B, Glahn RP, Tava A, Perrone D, Doria E, Sparvoli F, Cecotti R, Dani V, Nielsen E (2013) Genetic reduction of antinutrients in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed, increases nutrients and in vitro iron bioavailability without depressing main agronomic traits. Field Crops Res 141:27–37
Carpino S, Licitra G, Van Soest PJ (2003) Selection of forage species by dairy cattle on complex Sicilian pasture. Anim Feed Sci Technol 105:205–214
Casamassima D, Palazzo M, Martemucci G, Vizzarri F, Corino C (2012) Effects of verbascoside on plasma oxidative status and blood and milk production parameters during the peripartum period in Lacaune ewes. Small Rumin Res 105:1–8
El-Sabban F (2014) The antioxidant advantage of the Mediterranean diet in cardiovascular disease. Nutr Diet Suppl 6:35–40
García-Herrera P, Sánchez-Mata MC, Cámara M, Fernández-Ruiz V, Díez-Marqués C, Molina M, Tardío J (2014) Nutrient composition of six wild edible Mediterranean Asteraceae plants of dietary interest. J Food Comp Anal 34:163–170
Gazák R, Walterová D, Kren V (2007) Silybin and silymarin-new and emerging applications in medicine. Curr Med Chem 4:315–338
Gladine C, Morand C, Rock E, Bauchart D, Durand D (2007) Plant extracts rich in polyphenols (PERP) are efficient antioxidants to prevent lipoperoxidation in plasma lipids from animals fed n − 3 PUFA supplemented diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 136:281–296
Grabowicz M, Piłat J, Mikołajczak J (2001) Effect of silage from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. on the dairy cow production. Ann Warsaw Agric Univ Anim Sci Special issue 313–317
Hammer K, Knüpffer H, Laghetti G, Perrino P (1992) Seeds from the past. A catalogue of crop germplasm in South Italy and Sicily. In: Germplasm Institute of C.N.R. (ed) Bari, Italy, p 173
Hęś M, Dziedzic K, Górecka D, Drożdżyńska A, Gujska E (2014) Effect of boiling in water of barley and buckwheat groats on the antioxidant properties and dietary fiber composition. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 69:276–282
Karkanis A, Bilalis D, Efthimiadou A (2011) Cultivation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), a medicinal weed. Ind Crops Prod 34:825–830
Kaur AK, Wahi AK, Kumar B, Bhandari A, Prasad N (2012) Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): a review. Int J Pharma Res Dev. ISSN 0974–9446
Khan SA, Hamid S, Sabir AW (1988) Development of spineless Silybum marianum. Pak J Sci Ind Res 31:585–586
Khan MZ, Blackshaw RE, Marwat KB (2009) Biology of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and the management options for growers in north-western Pakistan. Weed Biol Manag 9:99–105
Korczak I, Grabowicz M (2003) Effect of herbal additions on productivity and selected indices of slaughter analysis and blond serum in broiler chickens. Ann Anim Sci 2:189–192
Křížová L, Watzková J, Třináctý J, Richter M, Buchta M (2011) Rumen degradability and whole tract digestibility of flavonolignans from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) fruit expeller in dairy cows. Czech J Anim Sci 56:269–278
Kroll DJ, Shaw HS, Oberlies NH (2007) Milk thistle nomenclature: why it matters in cancer research and pharmacokinetic studies. Integr Cancer Ther 6:110–119
Lancioni MC, Ballero M, Mura L, Maxia A (2007) Usi popolari e terapeutici nella tradizione popolare del Goceano (Sardegna Centrale). Atti Soc Tosc Sci Nat Mem Ser B 114:45–56
Ledda L, Deligios P, Farci R, Sulas L (2013) Biomass supply for energetic purposes from some Carduae species grown in a Mediterranean rainfed low input cropping system. Ind Crops Prod 47:218–226
Martinelli T, Andrzejewska J, Salis M, Sulas L (2015) Phenological growth stages of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. according to the extended BBCH scale. Ann Appl Biol 166:53–66
Mattalia G, Quave CL, Pieroni A (2013) Traditional uses of wild food and medicinal plants among Brigasc, Kyé, and Provençal communities on the western Italian Alps. Genet Resour Crop Evol 60:587–603
Mohanty I, Senapati MR, Jena D, Behera PC (2014) Ethnoveterinary importance of herbal galactogogues—a review. Veterinary World 7:325–330
Morales P, Ferreira CFR, Carvalho AM, Sánchez-Mata MC, Cámara M, Fernández-Ruiz V, Pardo de-Santayana M, Tardio J (2014) Mediterranean non-cultivated vegetables as dietary sources of compounds with antioxidant and biological activity. LWT Food Sci Technol 55:389–396
Omar AA, Hadad GM, Badr JM (2012) First detailed quantification of silymarin components in the leaves of Silybum marianum cultivated in Egypt during different growth stages. Acta Chromatogr 24:463–474
Palafox-Carlos H, Ayala-Zavala JF, González-Aguilar GA (2011) The role of dietary fiber in the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of fruit and vegetable antioxidants. J Food Sci 76:6–14
Passalacqua NG, De Fine GB, Guarrera PM (2006) Contribution to the knowledge of the veterinary science and of the ethnobotany in Calabria region (Southern Italy). J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2:52
Pereira C, Calhelha RC, Barros L, Ferreira ICFR (2012) Antioxidant properties, anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and hepatotoxicity of artichoke, milk thistle and borututu. Ind Crops Prod 49:61–65
Perrino EV, Brunetti G, Farrag K (2014) Plant communities in multi-metal contaminated soils: a case study in the national park of Alta Murgia (Apulia Region-Southern Italy). Int J Phytoremediat 16:871–888
Pieroni A, Nebel S, Quave C, Münz H, Heinrich M (2002) Ethnopharmacology of liakra: traditional weedy vegetables of the Arbëreshë of the Vulture area in southern Italy. J Ethnopharmacol 81:165–185
Piluzza G, Bullitta S (2010) The dynamics of phenolics concentration in some pasture species and implications for animal husbandry. J Sci Food Agric 90:1452–1459
Piluzza G, Bullitta S (2011) Correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant properties in twenty-four plant species of traditional ethnoveterinary use in the Mediterranean area. Pharmaceut Biol 49:240–247
Piluzza G, Sulas L, Bullitta S (2014) Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm. Turk J Agric For 38:506–514
Rio-Celestino MD, Font R, Moreno-Rojas R, De Haro-Bailon A (2006) Uptake of lead and zinc by wild plants growing on contaminated soils. Ind Crops Prod 24:230–237
Sanchez-Mata MC, Cabrera Loera RD, Morales P, Fernandez-Ruiz V, Cámara M, Díez Marqués C, Pardo-de-Santayana M, Tardío J (2012) Wild vegetables of the Mediterranean area as valuable sources of bioactive compounds. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:431–443
Sidhu MC, Saini P (2012) Silybum marianum: a plant of high medicinal importance—a review. World J Pharm Res 1:72–86
Soto C, Pérez J, García V, Uría E, Vadillo M, Raya L (2010) Effect of silymarin on kidneys of rats suffering from alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 17:1090–1094
Soumaya K, Chaouachi F, Ksouri R, El Gazzah M (2013) Polyphenolic composition in different organs of Tunisia populations of Cynara cardunculus L. and their antioxidant activity. J Food Nutr Res 1:1–6
Sulas L, Murgia L, Ventura A (2008) Phytomass production from Silybum marianum for bioenergy. Options Méditerran A79:487–490
Surveswaran S, Cai Y, Corke H, Sun M (2007) Systematic evaluation of natural phenolic antioxidant from 133 Indian medicinal plants. Food Chem 102:938–953
Tagliapietra F, Cattani M, Guadagnin Haddic ML, Sulas L, Muresu R, Squartini A, Schiavona S, Bailoni L (2014) Associative effects of poor quality forages combined with food industry by-products determined in vitro with an automated gas production system. Anim Prod Sci. doi:10.1071/AN14023
Tardío J, Pardo-De-Santayana M, Tardio RM (2006) Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain. Bot J Linn Soc 152:27–71
Tawaha K, Alali FQ, Gharaibeh M, Mohammad M, El-Elimat T (2007) Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of selected Jordanian plant species. Food Chem 104:1372–1378
Tedesco D, Domeneghini C, Sciannimanico D, Tameni M, Steidler S, Galletti S (2004) Silymarin, a possible hepatoprotector in dairy cows: biochemical and histological observations. J Vet Med 51:85–89
Vairo Cavalli S, Claver S, Priolo N, Natalucci C (2005) Extraction and partial characterization of a coagulant preparation from Silybum marianum flowers. Its action on bovine caseinate. J Dairy Res 72:271–275
Vaknin Y, Hadas R, Schafferman D, Murkhovsky L, Bashan N (2008) The potential of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.), an Israeli native, as source of edible sprouts rich in antioxidants. Int J Food Sci Nutr 4:339–346
Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and non starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J Dairy Sci 74:3583–3597
Veres T, Tyr S (2012) Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) as a weed in sustainable crop rotation. Res J Agric Sci 44:118–122
Zheng W, Wang SY (2001) Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in selected herbs. J Agric Food Chem 49:5165–5170
Acknowledgments
Part of this study was funded within the project Varigeav-CISIA (Integrated Knowledge for Sustainability and Innovation of the Agro-Food Made in Italy, 2011–2013), of the CNR-Dipartimento di Scienze Bio-Agroalimentari. Authors thank the technician Maddalena Sassu and Dr. Simone Canu for their laboratory assistance. Financial contribution of Fondazione Banco di Sardegna is acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sulas, L., Re, G.A., Bullitta, S. et al. Chemical and productive properties of two Sardinian milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) populations as sources of nutrients and antioxidants. Genet Resour Crop Evol 63, 315–326 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-015-0251-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-015-0251-5