Milk thistle for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

authors:

avatar Ludovico Abenavoli 1 , * , avatar Gabriella Aviello 2 , avatar Raffaele Capasso 2 , avatar Natasa Milic 3 , avatar Francesco Capasso 2

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Grcia, l.abenavoli@unicz.it, Italy
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Federico, Italy
Department of Pharmacy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

how to cite: Abenavoli L, Aviello G, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F. Milk thistle for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(3): 173-177. 

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one the most common causes of chronic liver disorders in the Western world. These patients have many significant comorbidities. The therapeutic approach to NAFLD is based on lifestyle intervention, but there is no consensus on the ideal pharmacological treatment. Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle (MT), is one of the oldest and most extensively researched plants in the treatment of liver diseases. Many studies have demonstrated that the active components of MT silymarin have many hepatoprotective properties. In recent years, several preclinical and clinical reports have described the efficacy of silymarin as a treatment for NAFLD. The chief aim of this review is to discuss the newest and most promising applications of MT in the treatment of NAFLD.


Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
This article describes the importance of natural treatment regimen like plant extracts in treating NAFLD and can be attended by general practitioners and family physicians and others who are involved in treating patients with liver disorders.

Please cite this paper as:
Abenavoli L, Aviello G, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F. Milk thistle for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(3):173-177.


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