Synopsis

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

Isosilybin is one of the major flavonolignans found in silymarin, the extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Silymarin and its constituents, including isosilybin, have a long history of traditional use for liver disorders, including hepatitis. Scientific research has investigated silymarin as a whole, but specific studies on isosilybin’s effects in hepatitis are limited. Preclinical studies suggest that isosilybin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties, and may inhibit viral replication in hepatitis C virus (HCV) models. Some in vitro and animal studies demonstrate that isosilybin can protect hepatocytes from toxin-induced damage, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate inflammatory pathways relevant to hepatitis.

However, high-quality human clinical trials specifically examining isosilybin for hepatitis are lacking. Most clinical trials have used silymarin mixtures, not isolated isosilybin, and results are mixed. Some studies suggest modest benefits of silymarin in improving liver enzymes or reducing symptoms in hepatitis patients, but systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that the evidence is inconclusive or weak. Thus, while there is a plausible scientific rationale and some supportive preclinical data for isosilybin, robust clinical evidence for its effectiveness in treating hepatitis in humans is presently insufficient.

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