Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the health condition: Fibrosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly for liver conditions. Its active compound, silymarin, is believed to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. Scientific interest in milk thistle for treating fibrosis—especially liver fibrosis—has led to a number of laboratory and animal studies, as well as some human clinical trials.

Preclinical studies have shown that silymarin can modulate pathways involved in fibrogenesis, such as reducing the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are central to the development of liver fibrosis. Animal models of liver injury have demonstrated that silymarin administration can reduce collagen deposition and markers of fibrosis. Some studies also suggest potential benefits in other types of tissue fibrosis, though the bulk of research has focused on the liver.

However, human clinical evidence is less robust. Some small randomized controlled trials and observational studies suggest that milk thistle may help improve liver function tests and reduce fibrosis progression in chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis C or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Still, results are mixed and often limited by small sample sizes and methodological issues. Major medical guidelines do not currently recommend milk thistle as standard therapy for fibrosis, but its relative safety and promising preclinical data continue to drive research interest.

In summary, while there is some scientific basis for the use of milk thistle in liver fibrosis, the clinical evidence is limited and not definitive, meriting a moderate-low evidence rating.

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