SIlYBUM MARIANUM. MIlK THISTlE. EFFECTS oN NoN-AlCoHolIC FATTY lIVER DISEASE. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Chavarria Z.R.; Vela-Ruiz J.M.; Healey S.B. · Medicina Naturista (2026)

Resumen

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. In the absence of specific pharmacological treatments, natural compounds with hepatoprotective activity have gained attention. Silybum marianum (milk thistle), whose main active compound is silymarin, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. This systematic review aimed to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of silymarin in patients with NAFLD. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases from 2020 to 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 369 records were identified, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria (randomized clinical trials, interventional studies,and experimental models in animals and in vitro). The findings consistently revealed significant reductions in ALT and AST (p < 0.05), improvements in lipid profile and hepatic steatosis, and attenuation of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Silymarin was well tolerated with no relevant adverse events. In conclusion, Silybum marianum appears to be a safe and effective complementary therapy for NAFLD management, though further multicenter and long-term studies are warranted to confirm its clinical efficacy, optimal dosage, and underlying mechanisms of action.

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma