Abstract
The effects of heavy metals on the growth, development and accumulation of active constituents of Silybum marianum were studied at three different areas, situated at a distance of 3 and 4 km from the main polluted area. The concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe was studied in the soil as well as in the plants collected. The plant parts including roots, stems, leaves, seeds, oil and silymarin extracted from the seeds were evaluated. Oil obtained from the seeds was not contaminated with heavy metals, on the other hand silymarin obtained from the three spots were relatively contaminated with heavy metals. It was observed that heavy metals in soil and air pollution reduced the contents of cellular and acellular constituents of Silybuin marianum. This study showed that Silybum marianum is suitable for the control of environmental pollutants, however, for pharmaceutical utilization; it should be collected from areas not contaminated with heavy metals.