Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the health condition: Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been investigated for its potential to reduce certain side effects of chemotherapy, particularly liver toxicity. The key active component, silymarin, is known for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Several small clinical trials and observational studies, especially in pediatric oncology, have evaluated milk thistle's ability to protect the liver during chemotherapy regimens that are known to be hepatotoxic (such as methotrexate and certain antileukemic drugs). Some randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that milk thistle supplementation can help maintain lower liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT) in patients undergoing chemotherapy, suggesting a protective effect on liver function.

However, the evidence is still limited by small sample sizes, variability in milk thistle preparations, and inconsistent results. A 2015 Cochrane review concluded that while milk thistle appears to be safe and may offer some hepatoprotective effects in cancer patients, the quality of evidence is low and more rigorous, larger-scale studies are needed. Furthermore, milk thistle may interact with the metabolism of chemotherapeutic drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness, which necessitates caution. Thus, while there is some scientific support for milk thistle’s use in reducing chemotherapy-induced liver toxicity, its use should always be guided and monitored by a healthcare professional.

More about milk thistle
More about Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

Other ingredients used for Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)

aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
anthocyanins
astaxanthin
astragalus
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
chlorella
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
fish oil
ginger
grape
green tea
hemp oil
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-carnosine
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glutathione
l-glycine
l-taurine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus lactis
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lion's mane
luteolin
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
milk thistle
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
pectin
phytocannabinoids
pomegranate
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
saccharomyces boulardii
selenium
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
whey protein
zinc
coix
herbal blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alpha Glucans
Antrodia camphorata
AHCC
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha lactalbumin
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Boswellic Acid
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
benzyl isothiocyanate
Caryophyllene
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
C-Phycocyanin
Cannabidiol
Clostridium butyricum
Cannabigerol
Dithiolthiones
Ergothioneine
Milk Protein
Mistletoe