The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2021;10(4):262-265 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2021.10408

Review Article

Silymarin: An account of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abdul Qadir¹ , PK Sahoo²

Abdul Qadir,PK Sahoo

1. Research Scholar, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi-110017, India
2. Director & Professor, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi-110017, India

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 26th April, 2021 / Accepted: 9th June, 2021

Abstract

Background: Silymarin exhibits inherent hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity caused by its control of free radicals (FR), which are produced by the hepatic metabolism of toxic chemicals such as C2H5OH, para-acetaminophen, or CCL4. 3464 types of research have been conducted on silymarin or its formulations. Out of these researches, 43 clinical studies on silymarin and 21 on the Milk thistle have been enrolled and conducted the clinical study. Thus, silymarin became a breakthrough in treating hepatotoxicity due to medicines. Aim and objective: Our aim is to review the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities and the recent clinical trials of silymarin. Methods: For this review, electronic databases viz pub med, Medline, science direct and sci-hub identified more than 100 research and review papers searched using Mesh terms silymarin, silibinin, silicristin, or milk thistle and including clinical studies. Only 65 selected and analyzed with the criteria randomized double-' or 'singleblind'. These publications were analyzed and discussed from a pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics point of view and meta-analytic calculations were carried out. Results: An amount of 3464 publications were selected and worked. Out of the complete database search, only 21 were included in the systematic analytical review and 9 in the meta-analysis, as per the user pre selection criteria and define parameters. In our study, the results indicated a reduction of (95 percent CI) at the range of ALT and 0.53 IUmL-1 (95 percent CI) at the serum levels of AST after using the silymarin, both, statistically significant, but with no clinical relevance. The outcome findings presented a comprehensive grade of heterogeneity and relatively low methodological worth in the carried out analysis. Conclusions: Based on the present clinical evidence it can be established - concerning probable risks /probable benefits - that it is reasonable to recommended silymarin as a supportive element and prophylactic in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.