Silybum Marianum

Background and Aim: In recent decades, the use of various feed supplements is the current trend in poultry farming, among which phytogenics serve as alternatives to feed antibiotics. This study aimed to examine the effect of feeding various doses of milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum) on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood in broiler chickens.

Materials and Methods: Experiments were carried out in an industrial poultry farm on broiler chickens of the Hubbard ISA F15 cross for 40 days. One control group and five experimental groups of day-old chickens were formed. The number of birds in each group was 50. Broilers of all groups received complete feed, and the experimental groups received an additional milk thistle extract at doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/kg of body weight. Milk thistle medicinal plant extract was obtained using water-ethanol extraction followed by low-temperature vacuum drying. For the assessment of blood analyses, samples were collected from the wing vein of six chickens per group. Using unified methods recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, the content of red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, total protein, protein fractions, triglycerides, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and the concentration of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the blood serum were determined.

Results: It was found that the introduction of milk thistle extract into the diet of broiler chickens with the aforementioned doses increased the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells in the blood, as well as a decrease in the level of albumin and an increase in the content of γ-globulins in its serum.

Conclusion: The authors assume that the introduction of milk thistle extract into a complete feed for broiler chickens increased the anabolic processes in their bodies, accompanied by increased use of proteins of the albumin fraction as the main material for organogenesis.

The present research was carried out for two main targets, the first one is phytochemical and biological screening of the aerial parts of Silybum marianum. The second one is the possibility of using Silybum marianum ethanolic extract as natural preservative for extending minced beef shelf-life during refrigeration and frozen storage. The chemical analysis of dry matter revealed that total ash content was 13.04% of D.M, crude fibers, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total tannins were (24.59%, 9.16%, 0.84% and (0.08%), respectively. The highest values of antioxidant activity were recorded in ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol 70%extacts, respectively for successive and selective solvents with values of 82.45% and 58.85% for successive solvents, 86.84% and 70.50% for selective solvents, respectively. Antimicrobial activity showed that, S. marianum L. Gaertn. had effect on gram positive, gram negative bacteria and yeast but had no effect on different strains of studied fungi. S. marianum had an influence on microorganisms growth in minced beef, the highest effect was 1.0% for 60 days (56 CFU). The most effective concentrations on lipid peroxidation prevention in minced beef were 1.5% for 3 days and 1.5 for 60 days.

In order to reduce the accessions numbers of Silybum marianum conserved in gene bank that represent the maximum genetic variability, accessions of the two varieties of Silybum marianum which collected from different localities in Egypt subjected to a comparative characterization. A combination of chromosomal criteria, micro-morphology of spine, seed storage protein profile, isozyme patterns (esterase and peroxidase) and random amplified polymorphic DNA technique were addressed. Chromosomal measurements indicated that variations in MCL, DCL, TCV, S%, TF%, Rec index, Syi index, A1, A2 and karyotype formulae have been observed. Micro morphology of the spines were examined using scanning electron microscope, the spine was covered with a cuticle layer sculptured as rugose and irregular or reticulate and regular model according to the accession and the type of habitat. The electrophoretic profiles of both isozyme and seed storage proteins could be used to differentiated among accessions, while it is less effect to differentiate between the two varieties of S. marianum. In regarding to random amplified polymorphic DNA technique, out of eight 10-mer random primers were used to differentiate between these varieties, only five primers gave reproducible results with differences in their band numbers. Moreover, the percentage of polymorphism produced by each primer differs from one primer to the other. The results obtained by the RAPD technique revealed a remarkable molecular discrimination between the varieties under study.

Background and Objective: Adhesion formation is the commonest complication of abdominal surgery. Bearing an anti-oxidant activity, Silybum marianum may reduce adhesion formation. This study was an endeavor to shed light on the effect of Silybum marianum on intra-abdominal adhesions. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: treated by 1% and 5% concentrations of the S. marianum extract (groups A and B) and distillated water (group C). After laparotomy, three longitudinal and transverse incisions (2 cm in length) were made on the right wall of the abdomen and a 2×2 piece was removed from peritoneal surface on the left side of the abdominal wall. In groups A, B and C, 3 mL of 1% and 5% of S. marianum extract or distillated water were administered into abdominal cavity of the rats, respectively. After 14 days, adhesion degrees were determined according to the number of adhesion bands (Canbaz scale). Data analysis was performed through SPSS 16 using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: There was a significant difference in adhesion formation among the groups (P=0.023). Adhesion degree in groups A and B were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: S. marianum extract supported a preventive effect on intra-abdominal adhesion in rats, which gives rise to the evidence that it may be similarly effective for human cases. Throughout further clinical studies, this plant and its derived compounds might be applied in the treatment of such complications subsequent to abdominal surgeries.