Impacts of Supplementation with Silymarin on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis

Abstract

It has been suggested that silymarin (SIL) supplementation has positive effects on cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). This systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis assessed the impacts of SIL administration on cardiovascular risk factors. A systematic search of multiple databases was performed to identify eligible controlled trials published up to January 2023. The analysis used a random-effects model and included 33 trials with 1943 participants. It was revealed that SIL supplementation led to a notable reduction in serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) (weighted mean difference (WMD): −21.68 mg/dL, 95% CI: −31.37, −11.99; p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −1.25 mmHg; 95% CI: −2.25, −0.26; p = 0.013), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: −13.97 mg/dL, 95% CI: −23.09, −4.85; p = 0.003), triglycerides (TG) (WMD: −26.22 mg/dL, 95% CI: −40.32, −12.12; p < 0.001), fasting insulin (WMD: −3.76 mU/mL, 95% CI: −4.80, −2.72; p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD: −17.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: −25.63, −8.63; p < 0.001), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (WMD: −0.85%, 95% CI: −1.27, −0.43; p < 0.001) in the SIL-treated groups compared to their untreated counterparts. In addition, there were no substantial differences in body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), C-reactive protein (CRP), body weight, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) between the two groups. These outcomes suggest that SIL consumption reduces certain CMS risk factors and has favorable impacts on lipid and glycemic profiles with potential hypotensive effects. These findings should be supported by additional trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations.

Silymarin Supplementation in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Outcomes of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

“…Fatigue was evaluated as mild, moderate, or severe depending on VAS scores (< 20, 20-50, and >50, respectively) [31,32]. Depression was assessed depending on BDI-II score as follows: no depression (0-13), mild to moderate depression (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), moderate to severe depression (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28), and severe depression (29-63) [28]. Anxiety level was indicated by GAD-7 score: minimal, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety for GAD-7 scores of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-21, respectively [29].…”

“…Its main indications are viral- and toxin-induced hepatitis, alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, Amanita mushroom poisoning, and hypercholesterolemia [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. In addition, recent clinical studies have reported the efficacy of silymarin and/or silibinin in diabetes [ 13 ], cardiometabolic syndrome [ 14 ], Alzheimer’s disease [ 15 ], melasma [ 16 , 17 ], and as radioprotective agents [ 18 ]. Silymarin has a good safety profile, and no significant toxicity has been reported in human studies [ 11 ].…”