The Liver
The liver performs over 500 physiologic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis; carbohydrate metabolism; vitamin and mineral storage; synthesis of clotting factors; urea formation; metabolism of medications; and the production of bile. The liver also assists in hormonal regulation, blood glucose control, and other regulatory functions.¹

The liver plays a vital role in the body's detoxification processes, which requires it to be continually exposed to harmful chemicals. Toxic chemicals include food additives, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, alcohol, and certain medications. The unique ability for liver tissue to regenerate is in part dependent on the ability of the liver to effectively eliminate toxins.¹

Harmful substances that have been neutralized by the liver are carried to the intestines and kidneys for excretion. They are transported by bile, a greenish, watery solution that is synthesized by the liver. Stored in the gallbladder, a small sac cupped in the under surface of the liver, bile is also required for the digestion of dietary fats. When dietary fats are consumed, bile flows from the gallbladder to the intestines where it emulsifies fats and fat-soluble vitamins for absorption.1

Milk Thistle
The most bioactive compound in milk thistle is silymarin, a mixture of flavonoids with a long history of liver support.†^2-4 Silymarin supports the health of Kupffer cells, specialized liver cells responsible for removing bacteria, old blood cells, and other foreign matter from the liver's blood supply.†^1-4 Silymarin scavenges free radicals (superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide) produced by activated Kupffer cells, supports healthy leukotriene levels, and supports glutathione production that is used in detoxification.†^2-5

Silymarin also supports the health of hepatocytes, highly versatile liver cells with unique physiologic functions.†^1-4 Studies of silymarin have demonstrated that it supports the health of the hepatocyte outer membrane, which is crucial to the liver's detoxification processes.†⁶ Silymarin also supports the healthy regenerative ability of the liver through support of protein synthesis in the hepatocytes.†⁷

The use of silymarin in several clinical studies has established silymarin's safety in particular and milk thistle's safety as a whole.†^8-13 Concomitant use of silymarin and other compounds in milk thistle with chemotherapeutic agents has been examined.†¹⁴ Researchers have also studied milk thistle's safety and support of liver health in a variety of health situations.†^15-22

Artichoke Leaf Extract, Dandelion Root Extract, and Licorice Root Extract
Artichoke extract specifically supports healthy bile production in the liver²³ and healthy gastrointestinal function in general.†^24,25 Research into artichoke's gastrointestinal supportive properties has included at least three clinical trials.†^26-28

Dandelion root extract supports healthy bile flow from the gallbladder.†^29,30 Licorice supports the healthy flow of bile³¹ and the immune system.†^32,33 Licorice also has a long history of providing healthy gastrointestinal support through the stimulation of natural protective factors and the support of healthy prostaglandin metabolism.†^34-36

Phytosome
A special, patented process known as Phytosome enhances the absorption of milk thistle in Super Milk Thistle . The Phytosome process pairs herbal ingredients with phosphatidylcholine molecules. Phosphatidylcholine is a naturally occurring substance found in soybeans, egg yolks, and some vegetables. In the body, phosphatidylcholine is an important building block of cell membranes.

When milk thistle (or other herbs) are bound with phosphatidylcholine, the phosphatidylcholine molecule facilitates absorption through the intestines into the bloodstream.† Research has shown increased blood and serum levels for phytosome herbs in comparison to the individual herb alone.†^37,38

To test whether binding an herb with phosphatidylcholine increased its bioavailability, researchers gave volunteers identical amounts of either milk thistle alone, or milk thistle phytosome. The researchers then took blood samples from the participants and measured the level of silybin (a key compound in milk thistle). The measurements showed that silybin levels in participants taking the phytosome form of milk thistle were higher, and that silybin was detected for a longer time, than those who took milk thistle without the phytosome delivery system.³⁷

SUMMARY

Super Milk Thistle  provides nutritional support for healthy liver function.† The ingredients in Super Milk Thistle , artichoke, dandelion, licorice, and milk thistle, support many liver processes, including healthy liver detoxification, regeneration, bile formation, bile flow, and prevention of free radical damage.

References:
1. Porth CM. The liver and hepatobiliary system. In: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998:745-753.

2. Milk thistle. In: Fleming T., ed. PDR  for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000: 516-520.

3. Milk thistle fruit. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J., ed. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000: 257-263.

4. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Milk thistle. In: Tyler's Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press: 1999: 76-79.

5. Dehmlow C, Erhard J, de Groot H. Inhibition of Kupffer cell functions as an explanation for the hepatoprotective properties of silibinin. Hepatology. 1996;23:749-54.

6. Gonzalez-Correa JA, de la Cruz JP, Gordillo J, Urena I, Redondo L, Sanchez de la Cuesta F. Effects of silymarin MZ-80 on hepatic oxidative stress in rats with biliary obstruction. Pharmacology. 2002;64:18-27.

7. Dvorak Z, Kosina P, Walterova D, Simanek V, Bachleda P, Ulrichova J. Primary cultures of human hepatocytes as a tool in cytotoxicity studies: cell protection against model toxins by flavonolignans obtained from Silybum marianum. Toxicol Lett. 2003;137:201-12.

8. Wellington K, Jarvis B. Silymarin: a review of its clinical properties in the management of hepatic disorders. BioDrugs. 2001;15:465-489.

9. Savio D, Harrasser PC, Basso G. Softgel capsule technology as an enhancer device for the absorption of natural principles in humans. A bioavailability cross-over randomised study on silybin. Arzneimittelforschung. 1998;48:1104-1106.

10. Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB 1016) in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1993;31:456–460.

11. Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, Duchini A, Marena C, Lampertico M. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB1016) in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1993;31:456-460.

12. Pares A, Planas R, Torres M, et al. Effects of silymarin in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis of the liver: results of a controlled, double-blind, randomized and multicenter trial. J Hepatol. 1998;28:615–621.

13. Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol. 1989;9:105–113.

14. Bokemeyer C, Fels LM, Dunn T,et al. Silibinin protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without compromising cisplatin or ifosfamide anti-tumour activity. Br J Cancer. 1996;74:2036-2041.

15. Masini A, Ceccarelli D, Giovannini F, Montosi G, Garuti C, Pietrangelo A. Iron-induced oxidant stress leads to irreversible mitochondrial dysfunctions and fibrosis in the liver of chronic iron-dosed gerbils. The effect of silybin. J Bioenerg Biomembr. 2000;32:175-82.

16. Shear NH, Malkiewicz IM, Klein D, Koren G, Randor S, Neuman MG Acetaminophen-induced toxicity to human epidermoid cell line A431 and hepatoblastoma cell line Hep G2, in vitro, is diminished by silymarin. Skin Pharmacol. 1995;8:279-291.

17. Muriel P, Garciapina T, Perez-Alvarez V, et al. Silymarin protects against paracetamol-induced lipid peroxidation and liver damage. J Appl Toxicol. 1992;12:439–442.

18. Vogel G, Tuchweber B, Trost W, Mengs U. Protection by silibinin against Amanita phalloides intoxication in beagles. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1984;73:355-362.

19. Carducci R, Armellino MF, Volpe C, Basile G, Caso N, Apicella A, Basile V. Silibinin and acute poisoning with Amanita phalloides. Minerva Anestesiol. 1996;62:187-193.

20. Sierralta A, Jeria ME, Figueroa G, et al. Mushroom poisoning in the IX region. Role of Amanita gemmata. Rev Med Chil. 1994;122:795-802.

21. Rambousek V, Janda J, Sikut M. Severe Amanita phalloides poisoning in a 7-year-old girl Cesk Pediatr. 1993;48:332-333.

22. Szilard S, Szentogyorgyi D, Demeter I. Protective effect of Legalon in workers exposed to organic solvents. Acta Med Hung. 1988;45:249–256.

23. Saenz Rodriguez T, Garcia Gimenez D, de la Puerta Vazquez R. Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats. Phytomedicine. 2002;9:687-93.

24. Artichoke leaf. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J., ed. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:10-12.

25. Artichoke In: Fleming T., ed. PDR  for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000: 44-46.

26. Marakis G, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth JC, Wright J, Pike DJ. Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study. Phytomedicine. 2002;9:694-699.

27. Pittler MH, Thompson CO, Ernst E. Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;:CD003335.

28. Walker AF, Middleton RW, Petrowicz O. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res. 2001;15:58-61.

29. Cho SY, Park JY, Park EM, et al. Alternation of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by supplementation of dandelion water extract. Clin Chim Acta. 2002;317:109-117.

30. Dandelion root with herb. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J., ed. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000: 81-83.

31. Raggi MA, Bugamelli F, Nobile L, et al. The choleretic effects of licorice: identification and determination of the pharmacologically active components of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Boll Chim Farm. 1995;134:634-638.

32. Fujisawa Y, Sakamoto M, Matsushita M, Fujita T, Nishioka K. Glycyrrhizin inhibits the lytic pathway of complement--possible mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect on liver cells in viral hepatitis. Microbiol Immunol. 2000;44:799-804.

33. Nose M, Terawaki K, Oguri K, Ogihara Y, Yoshimatsu K, Shimomura K. Activation of macrophages by crude polysaccharide fractions obtained from shoots of Glycyrrhiza glabra and hairy roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in vitro. Biol Pharm Bull. 1998;21:1110-1112.

34. Licorice. In: Fleming T., ed. PDR  for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000: 469-474.

35. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Licorice. In: Tyler's Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press: 1999: 80-84.

36. Licorice. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J., ed. Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000: 233-239.

37. Barzaghi N, Crema F, Gatti G, Pifferi G, Perucca E. Pharmacokinetic studies on IdB 1016, a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex, in healthy human subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1990;15:333-338.

38. Pitta P, Simonetti P, Gardana C, et al. Relationship between rate and extent of catechin absorption and plasma antioxidant status. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998;46:895-903.