Evidence supporting the use of: Silybum
For the health condition: Cirrhosis of the Liver

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various liver disorders, including cirrhosis. Its active compound, silymarin, is a mixture of flavonolignans believed to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects on the liver. Several clinical studies and meta-analyses have evaluated silymarin's efficacy in patients with liver cirrhosis. The evidence suggests that silymarin may reduce liver-related mortality in alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis, as observed in some randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. However, results are mixed, with some studies showing modest or no significant benefit in terms of liver function tests or overall survival. The mechanisms proposed for silymarin's benefits include stabilization of hepatocyte membranes, scavenging of free radicals, and inhibition of fibrogenesis. Current medical guidelines do not universally endorse milk thistle as a standard treatment for cirrhosis, but it is considered relatively safe and may be used as a complementary therapy. Overall, while there is scientific validation and moderate-quality evidence supporting its adjunctive use, the strength of the evidence is not robust enough for broad clinical recommendation, justifying a score of 3 out of 5 for the evidence supporting its use in cirrhosis of the liver.

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Products containing Silybum

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