II. Indications
-
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Possibly effective in small studies lowering Fasting Blood Sugar and Hemoglobin A1C
-
Liver disease (Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, NAFLD)
- Mixed results in Clinical Trials
- Amanita phalloides Poisoning
- Insufficient evidence to date
- Other Investigational uses
- Cytoprotection (environmental hazards, Chemotherapy)
- Anticarcinogen
III. Contraindications
- Ragweed Allergy
- Risk of Allergic Reaction
-
Hormone sensitive conditions (e.g. Breast Cancer)
- Milk Thistle may have Estrogenic effects
IV. Adverse Effects
- Mild gastrointestinal upset or Dyspepsia
V. Safety
- Avoid in pregnancy (unknown safety)
- Avoid in Lactation (unknown safety)
VI. Drug Interactions
- No significant interactions
- Possible CYP2C9 Inhibitor, CYP3A4 Inhibitor, P-Glycoprotein Inhibitor depending on Genotype
- However does not appear to result in Clinically Significant interactions in humans
VII. Dosing
- Optimal dosing not yet established
- Study doses vary from 210 to 600 mg daily
VIII. References
- (2023) Presc Lett 30(8): 48
- Rainone (2005) Am Fam Physician 72:1285-8 [PubMed]
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Related Studies
| Definition (NCI) | A mixture of flavonolignans isolated from the milk thistle plant Silybum marianum. Silymarin may act as an antioxidant, protecting hepatic cells from chemotherapy-related free radical damage. This agent may also promote the growth of new hepatic cells. (NCI04) |
| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A substance obtained from milk thistle seeds that is being studied in the prevention of liver damage caused by certain cancer treatments. |
| Definition (MSH) | A mixture of flavonoids extracted from seeds of the MILK THISTLE, Silybum marianum. It consists primarily of silybin and its isomers, silicristin and silidianin. Silymarin displays antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activity. It protects various tissues and organs against chemical injury, and shows potential as an antihepatoxic agent. |
| Definition (PDQ) | A mixture of flavonolignans isolated from the milk thistle plant Silybum marianum. Silymarin may act as an antioxidant, protecting hepatic cells from chemotherapy-related free radical damage. This agent may also promote the growth of new hepatic cells. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=284684&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=284684&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C26671" NCI Thesaurus) |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | D012838 |
| English | Silimarin, Silymarin, Silymarin [Chemical/Ingredient], silimarin, silymarin |
| Swedish | Silimarin |
| Czech | silymarin |
| Finnish | Silymariini |
| Russian | LEGALON, SILIBININ, KARSIL, SILIBIN, SILIMARIN, КАРСИЛ, ЛЕГАЛОН, СИЛИБИН, СИЛИБИНИН, СИЛИМАРИН |
| Japanese | シリビニン, シリビン, シリマリン |
| Polish | Silymarin |
| French | Silymarine |
| German | Silymarin |
| Italian | Silimarina |
| Portuguese | Silimarina |
| Spanish | Silimarina |
Ontology: Milk Thistle (C0331428)
| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. Spotted thistle may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. The scientific name is Cnicus benedictus. |
| Definition (MSH) | The plant Silybum marianum in the family ASTERACEAE containing the bioflavonoid complex SILYMARIN. For centuries this has been used traditionally to treat liver disease. Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. = Carduus marianus L. |
| Concepts | Plant (T002) |
| MSH | D020944 |
| SnomedCT | 64951005 |
| English | Silybum marianum, Variegated Thistle, Spotted Thistle, Blessed Milkthistle, Mariana mariana (L.) Hill, Milk Thistle, marianus, Carduus, Milk Thistles, Thistle, Milk, Thistles, Milk, Silybum marianums, marianum, Silybum, marianums, Silybum, carduus marianus, milk thistles, silybum marianum, milk thistle, Carduus marianus, Milk thistle, spotted thistle, SILYBUM MARIANUM WHOLE, Variegated thistle, Silybum marianum (organism), holy thistle, lady's thistle, Carduus marianus L. |
| Swedish | Mariatistel |
| Czech | Silybum marianum, ostropestřec mariánský |
| Finnish | Kaalivalvatti |
| Italian | Carduus marianus, Silybum marianum, Cardo mariano |
| Russian | RASTOROPSHA, SILYBUM MARIANUM, CARDUUS MARIANUS, РАСТОРОПША |
| Japanese | オオアザミ, マリヤアザミ |
| French | Chardon argenté, Chardon de Notre-Dame, Chardon-Marie, Silybe de Marie, Lait de Notre-Dame, Carduus marianus, Silybium marianum |
| Polish | Ostropest plamisty, Pstrok |
| Norwegian | Silybum marianum, Maritistel, Carduus marianus, Mariatistel |
| Portuguese | Serralha de Folhas Pintadas, Cardo Mariano, Carduus marianus, Silybum marianum |
| Spanish | Silybum marianum (organismo), cardo jaspeado, Silybum marianum, Cardo Lechero, Carduus marianus |
| German | Mariendistel, Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus |
| Dutch | Distel, Maria-, Mariadistel, Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus |
