Therapeutic Effects of Silymarin in Patients With B-thalassemia Major

Summary

Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex isolated from Silybum marianum, has a strong antioxidant, hepatoprotective and iron chelating activities. The present study has been designed to investigate the therapeutic activity of orally administered silymarin in patients with thalassemia major under conventional iron chelation therapy. A 6-month randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted in 140 beta-thalassemia major patients in two well-matched groups. Patients are randomized to receive a silymarin tablet (140 mg) three times a day plus conventional desferrioxamine therapy or the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. Clinical laboratory tests of iron status and liver function are assessed at the beginning and the end of the trial.

Timeline

Start

2009-03

Primary completion

2009-12

Completion

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Publications

• Background Gharagozloo M, Moayedi B, Zakerinia M, Hamidi M, Karimi M, Maracy M, Amirghofran Z. Combined therapy of silymarin and desferrioxamine in patients with beta-thalassemia major: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Jun;23(3):359-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00681.x. Epub 2009 May 7.

Drugs

Indications