Silymarin for HCV infection

Abstract

Silymarin, an extract of milk thistle seeds, and silymarinderived compounds have been considered hepatoprotective since the plant was irst described in ancient times. Hepatoprotection is deined as several non-mutually exclusive biological activities including antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inlammatory and immunomodulatory functions. Despite clear evidence for silymarin-induced hepatoprotection in cell culture and animal models, evidence for beneicial effects in humans has been equivocal. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge on silymarin in the context of HCV infection. The information was collated from a recent workshop on silibinin in Germany. © 2013 International Medical Press.