From the Guidelines
Yes, research has been conducted on silybin, which is also known as silibinin, and is the main active component of milk thistle, with studies investigating its potential benefits for liver disorders, including alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and drug-induced liver injury 1.
Overview of Silybin Research
Research suggests that silybin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties that may help protect liver cells from damage and promote liver regeneration.
- Typical dosages in clinical studies range from 30-40 mg/kg/day, often given intravenously or orally for an average duration of 3 to 4 days, as seen in the treatment of mushroom poisoning 1.
- The bioavailability of silybin can be enhanced when formulated with phosphatidylcholine, such as in the case of silybin Indena.
Clinical Applications and Safety
While generally considered safe with minimal side effects, patients should consult healthcare providers before use, especially if taking medications, as silybin may interact with certain drugs metabolized by the liver.
- It is essential to note that silybin/silymarin is not available as a licensed drug in the United States, although it is widely available in Europe and South America, and can be found in milk thistle extracts, tablets, capsules, or tincture, usually containing 70%-80% silymarin 1.
- Recent studies have focused on other treatments for liver disorders, such as vitamin E, liraglutide, semaglutide, and pioglitazone, which have shown promise in improving liver histology and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events 1.
From the Research
Research on Silybin
- Silybin, a major constituent of milk thistle extract, has been studied for its hepatoprotective effects and other therapeutic properties 2, 3.
- Research has shown that silybin has anticancer, anti-Alzheimer, anti-Parkinson, and anti-diabetic effects, in addition to its hepatoprotective properties 2, 4.
- Studies have demonstrated that silybin is safe in humans at therapeutic doses and is well tolerated, with some gastrointestinal discomforts occurring at high doses 2.
Mechanism of Action
- Silybin has been shown to have antifibrotic, antioxidant, and metabolic effects, and its bioavailability is higher than that of silymarin 3.
- Silybin has been found to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which contributes to its hepatoprotective effects 5.
- Silybin has also been shown to regulate the expression of various proteins, including Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1, which are involved in antioxidative stress effects 6.
Therapeutic Applications
- Silybin has been proposed as a potential treatment for chronic liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) 3, 5, 6.
- Silybin has also been studied for its anticancer effects, with some studies suggesting that it may have dual effects in cancer, promoting stemness in some cases 4.
- The use of silybin in combination with other drugs, such as PPARα agonists, has been found to impair its therapeutic effects, and caution should be exercised when co-administering silybin with other medications 5.