INTRODUCTION

The liver has vitally important functions in the human body, playing an important role in the metabolism (of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids), the digestion (bile excretion) and the detoxification of the product of decomposition.

Any damage of the liver leads to a change of the cell membranes, and to an impairment of the liver functions respectively.

Therefore, the site of action of a protective and therapeutic agent in liver diseases should be found in the extra- and endoplasmic membranes. The integrity or the recovery of the specific liver functions is a prerequisite for the detoxifying and synthetic liver function.

Silymarin, as the plant active ingredient of Carsil^®, has a consolidating effect on the cell membrane, thus protecting the liver from harmful impacts and facilitating the recovery of the impaired liver cells. The above is manifested by an improved overall condition, reduced complaints in relation to digestion, and it leads to an improved appetite and weight gain, with subsequent improvement and normalization of the liver parameters in patients with lower blood absorption due to a liver disease.

Carsil^® belongs to a group of biflavonoids which have been used as hepatoprotective agents in the form of tinctures as early as the 'fifties.

The white thorn gave very good results in liver and biliary diseases, according to Quilsch (1944). Many other authors also reported clinical observations of a very good curative effect of various drugs from the white thorn in such diseases (Ritter 1941; Schimert 1948; Weiss 1966; Deichmann 1970).