New Components from Silybum marianum L. Fruits: A Theory Comes True: In Memoriam of Professor Szabolcs Nyiredy (1950–2006)

The fruits of Silybum marianum L. (milk thistle) has been used for the treatment of hepatic and biliary diseases since ancient times. As separation techniques improved several isomers of silybin—the first determined active compound of milk thistle—have been described. Moreover, a new variety, the white-flowered S. marianum was discovered which contains deoxy-derivatives of some of the flavanolignans found in the purple-flowered variety. Based on this observation Nyiredy presumed that the deoxy-derivatives of all known flavanolignans of the purple-flowered variety are present in the white-flowered one. To prove this prediction several separations have been developed by the use of “PRISMA” principle.