Silibinin as a major component of milk thistle seed provides promising influences against diabetes and its complications: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #humans #antioxidants #blood-glucose #diabetes-complications

Silibinin as a major component of milk thistle seed provides promising influences against diabetes and its complications: a systematic review

Zare et al., 2024 | Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol | Systematic Review

Citation

Zare Mehrjerdi Parisa, Asadi Sara, ... Baradaran Rahimi Vafa. Silibinin as a major component of milk thistle seed provides promising influences against diabetes and its complications: a systematic review. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024-Oct;397(10):7531-7549. doi:10.1007/s00210-024-03172-x

Abstract

Silibinin, or silybin, is a polyphenolic flavonoid and the main active component of silymarin, isolated from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). It has been shown to have antioxidant, antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. In this systematic review, a literature search was conducted from inception until January 2024 on major electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to identify studies assessing the effects of silibinin on diabetes and its associated complications in different molecular, cellular, animal, and clinical studies. Silibinin has been shown to improve diabetic conditions through a variety of mechanisms, including reducing insulin resistance (IR), lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and affecting glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis. Silibinin treatment reduced blood glucose (BG) levels, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines while increasing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and antioxidative marker levels in various cellular and animal models of diabetes. It also ameliorated levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Furthermore, silibinin has been identified as an effective treatment for diabetic complications, including hepatic damage, endothelial dysfunction, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and osteoporosis. The promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and insulin-sensitizing activities of silibinin were also supported in clinical studies. The administration of silibinin could possess multiple protective impacts in improving DM and its complications. Nevertheless, further well-designed investigations are necessary to better understand its mechanisms.

Key Findings

Nevertheless, further well-designed investigations are necessary to better understand its mechanisms.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Seeds
  • Silybin
  • Silybum marianum
  • Silymarin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: milk-thistle

Provenance

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