Silibinin, a polyphenolic flavonoid also known as silybin [4], is the major active constituent of silymarin and the major biologically active compound of milk thistle [1], a plant that has traditionally been used to treat different ailments and illnesses, due to the properties it exerts and the ability of some of the active constituents found in it, as Silibinin, to be used as an effective chemo-preventive agent in various types of cancer, suppressing cancer cell growth and inhibiting colon cancer stem-like cells [6], being also studied for its inhibitory effects on certain types of breast cancer cells [9,10], and many other anti-neoplastic effects in a variety of in vitro and in vivo cancer models, including skin, breast, lung, colon, bladder, prostate and kidney carcinomas [15]. But this time a study showed for first time how Silymarin was ineffective for the treatment of Hepatitis C. Image: Eran Finkle under CC license (CC by 2.0).

The study was conducted was conducted using a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 4 medical centers in the United States, and included 154 persons with chronic Hepatitis C virus infection who were previously and unsuccessfully treated with interferon-based therapy [24].

SYLIBUM MARIANUM

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Sylibum
Common name: Milk thistle, גדילן מצוי,

Active constituents found in the aqueous extract of a flower native to Spanish coasts, locally known as Manto de la Virgen (English: Virgin's mantle), botanical name Fagonia cretica, showed cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, causing p53 associated growth arrest within 5 hours of extract treatment and apoptosis within 24 hours, showing how the aqueous extract of Fagonia cretica can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53-dependent and independent mechanisms, with activation of the DNA damage response [5].  Image: Fagonia cretica by Silversyrpher under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

The results of the study indicate that Fagonia cretica aqueous extract contains potential anti-cancer agents acting either singly or in combination against breast cancer cell proliferation via DNA damage-induced FOXO3a and p53 expression [5].

FAGONIA CRETICA

Family: Zygophyllaceae
Genus: Fagonia
Common name: Virgin's mantle, Manto de la virgen.

Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins)[3], probably the reason why grape seed extracts have showed to be so effective on the treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and even hearth disease, but recent studies done on other anti-cancer properties seen in grape seed extracts have showed this natural product may have some benefits and potential use on the treatment of Prostate Cancer.

VITIS VINIFERA

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Vitis
Common name: Common grape vine

Chamomile, is known to be one of the most used medicinal herbs, with many known health benefits and properties to treat some of the most common affections. The two main types of chamomile, the German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), and the Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), are certainly the most well known herbs from this herb family, the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

Among the most important active constituents of chamomile we can mention several types of terpenoids and flavonoids, both of them big contributors of the medicinal properties chamomile holds. Image: German chamomile - קמומיל כחול by Eran Finkle under CC license (CC by 2.0).

MATRICARIA RECUTITA

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Matricaria
Common name: Chamomile