Coadministration of silymarin with iron chelators in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis for effect on iron overload

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#blood-transfusion #drug-therapy-combination #ferritins #humans #iron-chelating-agents

Coadministration of silymarin with iron chelators in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis for effect on iron overload

Darvishi-Khezri et al., 2021 | Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Darvishi-Khezri Hadi, Naderisorki Mohammad, ... Karami Hossein. Coadministration of silymarin with iron chelators in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis for effect on iron overload. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021-Nov;14(11):1445-1453. doi:10.1080/17512433.2021.1964953

Abstract

Background and aim: We conducted a systematic review to apprise the efficacy of silymarin in conjunction with standard iron chelators on iron overload for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) patients.Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Sciencedirect, the Cochrane Library (the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to 1 May 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies comparing the effect of iron chelators alone versus silymarin plus standard routine treatment on iron burden amid TDT were included in this review. Primary outcomes comprised serum ferritin level (ng/mL), liver iron concentration (LIC Fe/kg dry weight), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC mcg/dL)Results: Combination therapy of silymarin and iron chelators showed a significant improvement in serum ferritin level in TDT patients, compared to nonsilymarin users [eight studies, n = 477]; weighted mean difference (WMD) -1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.86 to -0.72, I2 96.1%; P = 0.001. Concurrent treatment with silymarin failed to significantly decrease LIC in TDT patients [two studies, n = 106]; WMD 0.74, 95% CI -1.62 to 3.10, I2 96.6%; P = 0.54.Conclusion: There is no evidence of the effectiveness of adding silymarin to standard iron chelators to reduce iron load in TDT.

Key Findings

Combination therapy of silymarin and iron chelators showed a significant improvement in serum ferritin level in TDT patients, compared to nonsilymarin users [eight studies, n = 477]; weighted mean difference (WMD) -1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.86 to -0.72, I2 96.1%; P = 0.001. Concurrent treatment with silymarin failed to significantly decrease LIC in TDT patients [two studies, n = 106]; WMD 0.74, 95% CI -1.62 to 3.10, I2 96.6%; P = 0.54.Conclusion: There is no evidence of the effective

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 477
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Transfusion
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Ferritins
  • Humans
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Iron Overload
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Silymarin
  • beta-Thalassemia

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