A Silychristin Isomer and Variation of Flavonolignan Levels in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Fruits

Abstract

A new natural product has been isolated from silymarin, the hepatoprotective extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) fruits. This was shown by NMR spectroscopy to be silychristin B (8), a diastereoisomer of the known silychristin (7). Levels of these and the other flavonolignans varied markedly in fruits of different S. marianum samples.

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