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Silymarin - milk thistle
Liver detox, Psoriasis and Rosacea
Gastroenterol Nurs. 2001 Mar-Apr;24(2):95-7. Links
Milk thistle and the treatment of hepatitis.
Giese LA.
Gastroenterology nurses and associates will find it helpful to be informed about milk thistle (silybum marianum), a popular, safe and promising herb used by patients with liver disease. Silymarin is a derivative from the milk thistle plant with few side effects that has been safely used for centuries to treat liver ailments. Since the 1970s, there has been a reemergence of the marketing and use of silymarin. Research results of some small studies suggest silymarin has hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, and regenerative properties producing a beneficial effect for some types of hepatitis. It is unclear, however, whether silymarin might interfere with the effect of interferon or ribavirin. A well-designed, placebo-controlled study of a larger population is needed. It is certainly encouraging that a large collaborative study is currently underway for milk thistle therapy in hepatitis C. This study is funded by NCCAM, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Research updates are available online at www.nccam.nih.gov and through the NCCAM Clearinghouse at 1-888-644-6226.
Milk thistle: is there a role for its use as an adjunct therapy in patients with cancer?
J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Jun;9(3):411-6.
Ladas EJ, Kelly KM.
Division of Pediatric Oncology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. ejd14@columbia.edu
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among patients with cancer. Many of these patients use CAM therapies to decrease the risk of late effects that are sometimes associated with cancer therapy. Certain classes of effective anticancer agents can induce short- and long-term toxicity to the liver. Currently, there are no safer alternatives to these medications. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a botanical that may be useful in the prevention or treatment of liver dysfunction in patients undergoing anticancer therapy.
Clinical applications of Silybum marianum in oncology.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):158-65. Links
Comment in:
Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):104-9. Greenlee H, Abascal K, Yarnell E, Ladas E.
Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. hg2120@columbia.edu
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb that is increasingly used in oncology research and treatment settings. Historically, it has been used to treat liver and biliary disorders and has been used in detoxification and cleansing protocols. However, milk thistle is increasingly being investigated for its use in adult and pediatric populations for oncology indications. Possible indications during cancer treatment include cleansing and detoxification after chemotherapy, preventing hepatotoxicity during chemotherapy, treating hepatotoxicity after chemotherapy, and potentiating chemotherapy and radiation therapy as an adjunctive treatment. Milk thistle may also have applications in ameliorating long-term hepatic and cardiovascular effects of cancer treatment. Preliminary studies are investigating its use as a chemopreventive agent and possibly to treat cancer directly. Much of milk thistle's current clinical use grows out of historical uses but is informed by an increasing number of clinical trials and animal studies. This article provides an overview of the current clinical applications of milk thistle in the oncology setting, including guidelines on commonly used forms and doses.
Future directions for research on Silybum marianum for cancer patients.
Sagar SM. Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):166-73. Links
McMaster University and Juravinski Cancer Centre, 699 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada. stephen.sagar@hrcc.on.ca
Silymarin (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn. [Asteraceae]) is a promising agent for cancer prevention, adjuvant cancer treatment, and reduction of iatrogenic toxicity. Although it is safe and free of serious adverse side effects, few studies have evaluated its use alongside conventional cytotoxic therapies, and adverse events associated with long-term administration are uncertain. Although it may prevent some types of cancer, its promotion of tissue regeneration and its potential estrogen activity could promote the growth of some tumors. Further clinical trials using authenticated fractions of silymarin as simple and complex derivatives are required prior to any general recommendations. Future research should focus on authentication of active chemicals, pharmacokinetics, adverse interactions and quality control, prevention of cancer initiation and progression, adjuvant therapy for specific cancers, and prevention of toxicity from anticancer therapies.
Silymarin, Milk Thistle