Enhanced Estrogenic Activity in Water-Soluble Silybum marianum Complex via Microwave-Assisted Steviol Glycoside-Based Formulation

Background

Phytoestrogens are promising alternatives to menopausal hormone therapy, but their clinical application is limited by poor solubility and bioavailability. Silybum marianum (milk thistle) contains flavonolignans with reported estrogenic potential. However, its extract shows only modest estrogenic activity, and approaches to enhance its efficacy by improving solubility remain insufficiently explored.