Loading...
Silymarin, a derivative of the milk thistle plant shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects, was shown ineffective in clearing chronic hepatitis C virus but might be effective in improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
To assess its safety and efficacy in this setting, researchers performed a double-blind trial involving 99 consecutive patients receiving care for biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at a single tertiary care center in Malaysia. Patients with a NAFLD histologic activity score ≥4 were randomized to receive silymarin 700 mg or placebo three times daily for 48 weeks. Liver biopsy was repeated after treatment ended.
The primary efficacy outcome, a decrease in NAFLD histologic a…