Search

Background: Silymarin is the active component of milk thistle, which has antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals and potential comedolytic properties., Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum (SAS) used to treat mild-to-moderate acne., Patients and Methods: A prospective, open-label pilot study was conducted. We enrolled 22 Korean acne patients who applied the 0.5% SAS on the whole face twice daily while continuing the current anti-acne medications. Grade of acne severity, individual lesion counts, sebum output levels, skin erythema, and melanin pigmentation were assessed., Results: After a 4-week application, the modified Global Acne Grading Score (mGAGS), Global Evaluation Acne (GEA) scale, and the acne lesion counts were significantly decreased. Sebum secretion, skin pigmentation, and erythema were also reduced during the study period, yet only the melanin pigmentation index reached statistical significance. Subgroup analysis revealed that the patients who took the low-dose oral isotretinoin during the study period showed more noticeable improvements in skin sebum output and melanin pigmentation. Additionally, no adverse event was associated with using the 0.5% SAS., Conclusion: The 0.5% silymarin-containing antioxidant formulation improved acne's clinical severity and related skin biophysical parameters., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Melasma is a highly prevalent hyperpigmentation disorder with a high relapsing rate and a negative impact on the psychological state of the affected patients. The exact pathogenesis of melasma is not completely elucidated; however, ultraviolet induced oxidative stress has an important role in its pathogenesis. Silymarin, antioxidant drug, reduces the harmful effects of solar ultraviolet radiation such as inflammation, immune responses, DNA damage, and pigmentation., Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical silymarin with different concentrations (0.7% and 1.4%) versus hydroquinone 4% in the treatment of melasma., Methods: Forty-two adult female patients with melasma were assigned to three equal groups each containing 14 patients; group1 was treated by silymarin 0.7% cream, group 2 was treated by silymarin 1.4% cream and group 3 was treated by hydroquinone 4% cream. The duration of treatment was 3 months., Results: MASI score was significantly reduced in all groups at the end of third month; however, there were no significant differences in the therapeutic response between the three studied groups. No side effects were recorded with silymarin, while hydroquinone was associated with significant adverse effects., Conclusions: Silymarin cream might serve as an effective and safe treatment modality for melasma., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex isolated from Silybum marianum, has a strong antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and iron chelating activities. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic activity of orally administered silymarin in patients with thalassemia major under conventional iron chelation therapy. A 3-month randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted in 59 beta-thalassemia major patients in two well-matched groups. Patients were randomized to receive a silymarin tablet (140 mg) three times a day plus conventional desferrioxamine therapy. The second group received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. Clinical laboratory tests were assessed at the beginning and the end of the trial, except for serum ferritin level that was assessed at the middle of the trial as well. Results of this study revealed that the combined therapy was well tolerated and more effective than desferrioxamine in reducing serum ferritin level. Significant improvement in liver alkaline phosphatase and glutathione levels of red blood cells was also observed in silymarin-treated beta-thalassemia patients. However, no significant difference in serum ferritin levels was detected between silymarin and placebo groups after 1.5 and 3 months treatment, probably because of insufficient sample size to detect subtle changes in ferritin levels between groups. This is the first report showing the beneficial effects of silymarin in thalassemia patients and suggests that silymarin in combination with desferrioxamine can be safely and effectively used in the treatment of iron-loaded patients.