Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C (2025)

Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, is a medicinal plant that has been used for its protective effects on the liver, gastrointestinal system, inflammation, etc. While there is a lot of research on its seeds, the potential health benefits of its leaves have not been fully explored. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemicals and assess the anti-inflammatory effects of different solvent fractions from milk thistle leaves. The resulting fractions for key phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids, using standard methods. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of milk thistle fraction using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in Wistar albino rats, with diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) as the reference drug. The results show, that the leaves of Silybum marianum have significant anti-inflammatory properties, likely because of the bioactive compounds they contain.