The therapeutic effects of silymarin for patients with glucose/lipid metabolic dysfunction: A meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antioxidants #biomarkers-pharmacological #blood-glucose #c-reactive-protein #case-control-studies

The therapeutic effects of silymarin for patients with glucose/lipid metabolic dysfunction: A meta-analysis

Xiao et al., 2020 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Xiao Fengyan, Gao Feng, ... Wang Lina. The therapeutic effects of silymarin for patients with glucose/lipid metabolic dysfunction: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020-Oct-02;99(40):e22249. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000022249

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To comprehensively evaluate the treatment efficacy and safety of silymarin for patients with glucose/lipid metabolic dysfunction using a meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was performed up to October 1, 2019. STATA 13.0 software was used to estimate pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Sixteen studies involving 1358 patients were identified. Overall meta-analysis showed that compared with control, silymarin significantly reduced levels of fasting blood glucose (SMD: -1.27, 95% CI = [-1.78, -0.76]; P < .001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (SMD: -0.41, 95% CI = [-0.70, -0.12]; P = .005), hemoglobin A1c (SMD: -1.88, 95% CI = [-2.57, -1.20]; P < .001), total cholesterol (SMD: -1.13, 95% CI = [-1.82, -0.77]; P < .001), triglyceride (SMD: -0.37, 95% CI = [-0.69, -0.05]; P = .025), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD: -1.30, 95% CI = [-1.93, -0.67]; P < .001), C-reactive protein (SMD: -0.63, 95% CI = [-1.01, -0.27]; P = .001), and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD: 0.17, 95% CI = [0.05, 0.29]; P = .005), but had no impacts on function indicators of liver and kidney (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine phosphokinase, creatinine) and the complication rate. Subgroup analyses indicated that insulin (which was negative in overall analysis) was significantly decreased in patients undergoing silymarin monotherapy (SMD: -2.03, 95% CI = [-3.03, -1.04]; P = .044) for more than 3 months (SMD: -0.01, 95% CI = [-0.25, -0.24]; P = .035). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of silymarin may be effective and safe for the management of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia.

Key Findings

Sixteen studies involving 1358 patients were identified. Overall meta-analysis showed that compared with control, silymarin significantly reduced levels of fasting blood glucose (SMD: -1.27, 95% CI = [-1.78, -0.76]; P < .001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (SMD: -0.41, 95% CI = [-0.70, -0.12]; P = .005), hemoglobin A1c (SMD: -1.88, 95% CI = [-2.57, -1.20]; P < .001), total cholesterol (SMD: -1.13, 95% CI = [-1.82, -0.77]; P < .001), triglyceride (SMD: -0.37, 95% CI = [-0.69

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population glucose
Sample Size 1358
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological
  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Lipids
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Silymarin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: milk-thistle

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09