Effect of Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) Seed Extract on Bacterial Activities and Growth of Human Liver Cancer Cells

Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid mixture isolated from milk thistle which is believed to be responsible for the plant’s hepatoprotective action. Silymarin is hepatoprotective flavonoid drug available as bio marker in Silybun marianum (common name milk thistle). Silymarin is being used in treatment of various liver disease of different etiology because of its hepatoprotective action. Phytochemicals are playing a vital role for the treatment of different types of diseases and still used in both traditional and modern medication system. The phytochemical analysis of milk thistle seeds extract indicated that the plant is rich in secondary compounds. The results revealed that milk thistle seeds contain high amount of total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant compounds. The antibacterial activities of the ethanol seeds extract of milk thistle was tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aures) and Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella entirica). Antibacterial effects of crude extract were performed using modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique to determine the zone of inhibition. The results demonstrated that ethanol seeds extract of milk thistle is shown strong inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aures and Salmonella entirica compared to the control. Also, milk thistle seeds extract showed highly anticancer activity. This medicinal plant could be developed into affordable and safe standardized herbal products and may serve as a source of new molecules for broad-spectrum anticancer, antimicrobial agents.