Abstract
Silybum marianum L. is used for the production of silymarin, a flavonoid utilized for regenerating damaged hepatic tissues. Herein, the total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) in the roots, main stems, leaves, fruit receptacles, and pappi of Silybum marianum were determined. The antioxidant activities of plant ethanol extracts were assessed to validate the medicinal potential of the various plant parts. The pappi exhibited the highest TFC (17.10 mg rutin/g of dry plant material), followed by the fruit receptacles (15.34 mg/g). The TPC varied from 9.80±0.13 to 48.97±0.41 mg gallic acid/g dry plant material; again, the highest TPC was obtained from the pappi. At 50 ug/mL, the pappi ethanol extract showed the highest 1, 1-Diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (69.68%), followed by the roots (66.02%). The IC50 values of the pappi (24.20 µg/mL) and roots (25.16 µg/mL) also indicated high scavenging activity. The same order was obtained for the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the ethanol extracts of different parts. Thus, the pappi and roots of Silybum marianum L. can be used as valuable sources of natural antioxtidants.
