AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

The seeds of "milk thistle" or, silybum marianum, have been considered by some to have liver protecting properties. Proponents of milk thystle point to the British herbalist Culpepper who suggested the ingestion of milk thistle roots and seeds for jaundice (a yellow pigmentation of the eyes and skin which may indicate liver disfunction).[1]

Silymarin is an extract of silybum marianum. In 1983, it was reported that when Silymarin was given to rats with part of their livers removed, some liver regeneration occurred.[2] It has also been reported that silymarin provides protection against the ingestion of certain substances which are extremely toxic to the liver or kidneys, such as the deadly Amanita mushrooms.[3]

Proponents of milk thystle suggest that the compound can be used for liver-based problems including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, weakened liver due to drugs, alcohol, and liver poisoning from chemicals, and diarrhea. Some reports have suggested that silymarin may stimulate certain immune functions[4] and may protect the liver during hepatitis B.[5] A reportedly randomized, controlled study in 170 patients with cirrhosis of the liver concluded that silymarin provided benefits in terms of mortality.[6] Other reports, mostly out of Germany, suggest that silymarin may provide benefits in the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis B, in terms normalization of liver functions.[7] However, the texts of these studies have not been carefully examined.

PWAs often have lower levels of glutathione. Therefore, it may be of interest that one study has suggested that silymarin protected against glutathione depletion induced by acetaphinomen in rat livers.[8]

No studies of milk thistle in PWAs with liver conditions could be found. No toxic effects of silymarin have been reported, although it is possible that because of its purported effect on the liver and kidneys, the compound may effect the absorption of other medications. Silymarin is available in health food stores in tablet form.

1. Hobbs C. Milk Thistle: The Liver Herb. Botanica Press. Capitola, CA. 1992.

2. Vogel, G. Proceedings of the International Bioflavonoid Symposium. p 472. 1991. Munich.

3. G Vogel. " Natural Substances with Effects on the Liver" New Natural Products and Plant Drugs with Pharmacological, Biological, or Therapeutical Activity" p. Springer-Verlag. 1977. New York:.

4. Deak G. Orvosi Hetilap. 1990: 24:1291.

5. Chan MK. Nephrol Dial. Transplant . 1989; 4:297-301.

6. Ferenci P, et al. Journal of Hepatology. 1989:9:105 113.

7. C. Milk Thistle: The Liver Herb. Botanica Press. Capitola, CA. 1992.

8. Campos R. Planta Medica. 1989; 55:417-419, 420-22.

Copyright © 1993 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

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