Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Therapie

Abstrakt

Effects of Silymarin on Treatment Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Okonkwo Uchenna C, Aluka Anthony2 and Ezedinachi Emmanuel

Background: Silymarin, an extract of milk thistle (silybum marianum) is widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic liver disease yet its beneficial effects remain controversial.

Aim: To determine the effect of silymarin on liver biochemistry and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Methods: This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross river state. Patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomized to receive silymarin or placebo for 4 weeks. Their liver function tests and HRQOL were assessed at baseline and post-treatment.

Results: Eighty-six persons were enrolled into the study. Seventy-nine completed the study. Silymarin use was associated (p<0.05) with improvement in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and HRQOL from baseline but not with serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.

Conclusion: Silymarin use among patients with chronic hepatitis B is associated with improvement in liver function tests especially markers of liver inflammation and HRQOL.