Milk Thistle has been used for centuries to treat liver and spleen problems. But it is also a powerful anti-inflamatory with studies showing that 300 mg/day worked better than piroxicam or meloxicam both nsaids. With Silymarin reducing inflammation components by more than 50% (IL-1 by 80% and IL-8 by 45%) in patients with OA, and the piroxicam and meloxicam having minimal to no affect. It also has anticancer and other health benefits. [1]
Silibinin the active component of Silymarin, is known to hinder the inflammatory process by inhibiting neutrophil migration; it also inhibits the formation of leukotrienes (by inhibiting 5-lipoxigenase pathway) and the release of histamine from basophils. [2] Moreover, silibinin attenuates the production of edema and granulation tissue in experimental animal models of chronic inflammation and is suggested as a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory disorders. [3]
References:
- Saudi Med J. 2009 Jan;30(1):98-103.
Anti-inflammatory activity of silymarin in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A comparative study with piroxicam and meloxicam
- Bhattacharya S. Phytotherapeutic properties of milk thistle seeds: An overview. J Adv Pharmacy Edu Res 2011;1:69-79.
- Aziz TA, Marouf BH, Ahmed ZA, Hussain SA. Anti-inflammatory activity of silibinin in animal models of chronic inflammation. Am J Pharmacol Sci 2014;2(1):7-11.