Milk Thistle Is Coming To America
December 11, 2010
Author: TroyWilinoka
Milk Thistle is a plant. Milk thistle comes from Silymarin. Silymarin and its partner, silybin, are used for liver treatments, therapy, and treatment of some of the most severe diseases of the liver. The plant and extract are one of the most commonly prescribed natural herbs throughout the world. Milk thistle has been used for a significant amount of time throughout history. It has been traced back to ancient times. Once commonly referred to as a “biblical plant” and has been documented as far back as the year 1744 for treatment for liver disorders. In modern times many 20th century writers have used milk thistle for the treatment of liver disease, as well as disorders of the spleen and bile duct.
Milk thistle benefits have been discovered after hundreds of studies have confirmed its positive effects when dealing with liver treatment. Many research studies performed in Europe have seen the incredible ability of the extract to shield the liver against many types of damage. These damages include, but are not limited to, accidental exposure to chemicals, toxic medication side effects, and even liver diseases like hepatitis c as well as damage caused by over indulgence in rich foods, drugs, and alcohol.
Milk Thistle has been used very commonly in Europe for many years. The United States had not accepted the extract until only recently as it is showing a surge throughout the country. The United States is now seeing the potential and benefits of using Milk Thistle to treat many various liver problems and functions. As it penetrates the United States supplement market, suppliers are finding a hard time keeping the extract on shelves. Some retailers reported as much as a 200% jump in orders. Market analysis attributes this to the many articles being published showing scientific studies that claim the prominence of the impact on the liver when using the milk thistle extract.
While Europe may still be at the forefront of the milk thistle movement when treating liver problems, it seems as if the United States is taking the hint and beginning wide stream prominent use to aide in the recovery of the liver. With the United States and Europe on board, when will the rest of the world follow? And what will the long term effects of streamlined usage have on the effect of worldwide liver damage? Only one can guess.
http://articleslocation.com/widely-used-in-europe-milk-thistle-is-coming-to-america/
Milk Thistle is a plant which is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It can be tall, ranging anywhere from two feet to ten feet in height when erect. It has a branched and furrowed stem and large throny green root-leaves, which are known for their milk-white veins. The flowers are red-purple in color, and display small spiky black seeds which are crowned with feathery tufts. Each flower-head may produce almost 200 seeds.
Some of the other common names for milk thistle are marian thistle, our lady's thistle, holy thistle and wild artichoke.
2009 Abstract
A double blind, placebo controlled study investigated the effects of a milk thistle extract vs. a placebo in a group of 50 children being treated with chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After 56 days of treatment, those using milk thistle “had a significantly lower AST and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT”, two liver enzymes used to measure hepatotoxicity. In addition, Siliphos, the milk thistle extract used in the trial, didn’t counteract the effects of chemotherapy. It’s important to note that this was a preliminary investigation and researchers are urging subsequent research to determine the optimal dosage and duration of milk thistle treatment. Further inquiries need to establish whether the use of this herbal remedy will have any meaningful impact on survival outcome as well.
A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) † Article first published online: 14 DEC 2009
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24723
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Despite limited preclinical and clinical investigations, milk thistle (MT) is often used for the treatment of chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity. Limited treatment options exist for chemotherapy-related hepatoxicity. Given the wide use of MT, the authors investigated MT in both the laboratory and a clinical setting.
METHODS:
In a double-blind study, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hepatic toxicity were randomized to MT or placebo orally for 28 days. Liver function tests were evaluated during the study period. To assess MT in vitro, the authors evaluated supratherapeutic concentrations in an ALL cell line.
RESULTS:
Fifty children were enrolled. No significant differences in frequency of side effects, incidence and severity of toxicities, or infections were observed between groups. There were no significant changes in mean amino alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), or total bilirubin (TB) at Day 28. At Day 56, the MT group had a significantly lower AST (P = .05) and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT (P = .07). Although not significantly different, chemotherapy doses were reduced in 61% of the MT group compared with 72% of the placebo group. In vitro experiments revealed no antagonistic interactions between MT and vincristine or L-asparaginase in CCRF-CEM cells. A modest synergistic effect with vincristine was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
In children with ALL and liver toxicity, MT was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. Future study is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of MT and its effect on hepatotoxicity and leukemia-free survival. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society
During the past 2 decades, there has been an increased interest in understanding the mechanisms and clinical applications of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), an herbal plant.1-3 Prior studies have found milk thistle (MT) has both hepatoprotectant and nephroprotectant activity, thus suggesting its application as a supportive care agent.4 MT is available in the United States as a dietary supplement and most often is used for its effects on the liver. Clinical studies have investigated MT for the prevention or treatment of liver damage in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis.3, 5 A case report suggested that MT plays a beneficial role for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity.6
In the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the administration of chemotherapy agents is frequently interrupted because of liver toxicity, especially during the maintenance phase of treatment. Schmiegelow et al found that children with ALL who experience a cumulative withdrawal of methotrexate or 6 mercaptopurine of greater than 10% of the prescribed therapy have an increased risk of bone-marrow relapse (methotrexate: complete hematologic remission [CHR], 45% ± 12% versus 78% ± 5%, P = .009; 6 mercaptopurine: CHR 31% ± 12% versus 77% ± 5%, P < .00,001).7 Hepatotoxicity was the main reason for cumulative, long-term, drug withdrawals. More recent investigations have found that 66.5% of children with ALL encountered grade 2 or higher liver toxicity at some point during their therapy.8
Currently, there are no substitute chemotherapy agents that provide the same effectiveness against ALL yet preserve liver function. There are also no hepatoprotective medications that allow chemotherapy to continue to be administered while preserving liver function. Thus, adjunctive agents that may enable optimal doses of chemotherapy to be administered without necessitating a decrease in the recommended doses of chemotherapy are of clinical significance and may further improve survival in children with ALL. We present the results from a multicenter pilot study that evaluated the safety and feasibility of MT for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in children with ALL who were receiving maintenance-phase chemotherapy.
See Full Study Here : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.24723/full
2010 Nov
Silymarin use and liver disease progression in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis trial
. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
N. D. Freedman 1, T. M. Curto 2, C. Morishima 3, L. B. Seeff 4, Z. D. Goodman 5, E. C. Wright 6, R. Sinha 1, J. E. Everhart 7, the HALT-C Trial Group 1
Article first published online: 2 NOV 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04503.x
Published 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Author Information
1 Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD, USA.
2 New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USA.
3 Division of Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
4 Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, and Liver Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
5 Division of Hepatic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, USA.
6 Office of the Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
7 Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
* Correspondence: Dr N. D. Freedman, Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/320, MSC 7232, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. E-mail: freedmanne@mail.nih.gov
Abstract
* Note: The terms "milk thistle" and "silymarin" are often used interchangeably.
Background
Silymarin is the most commonly used herbal product for chronic liver disease; yet, whether silymarin protects against liver disease progression remains unclear.
Aim
To assess the effects of silymarin use on subsequent liver disease progression in 1049 patients of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial who had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis and had failed prior peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment.
Methods
Patients recorded their use of silymarin at baseline and were followed up for liver disease progression (two point increase in Ishak fibrosis score across baseline, year 1.5, and year 3.5 biopsies) and over 8.65 years for clinical outcomes.
Results
At baseline, 34% of patients had used silymarin, half of whom were current users. Use of silymarin was associated (P more then 0.05) with male gender; oesophageal varices; higher ALT and albumin; and lower AST/ALT ratio, among other features. Baseline users had less hepatic collagen content on study biopsies and had less histological progression (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33–1.00; P-trend for longer duration of use=0.026). No effect was seen for clinical outcomes. ,
Conclusions
Silymarin use among patients with advanced hepatitis C-related liver disease is associated with reduced progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, but has no impact on clinical outcomes (Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00006164).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04503.x/abstract
Author: TroyWilinoka
Milk Thistle is a plant. Milk thistle comes from Silymarin. Silymarin and its partner, silybin, are used for liver treatments, therapy, and treatment of some of the most severe diseases of the liver. The plant and extract are one of the most commonly prescribed natural herbs throughout the world. Milk thistle has been used for a significant amount of time throughout history. It has been traced back to ancient times. Once commonly referred to as a “biblical plant” and has been documented as far back as the year 1744 for treatment for liver disorders. In modern times many 20th century writers have used milk thistle for the treatment of liver disease, as well as disorders of the spleen and bile duct.
Milk thistle benefits have been discovered after hundreds of studies have confirmed its positive effects when dealing with liver treatment. Many research studies performed in Europe have seen the incredible ability of the extract to shield the liver against many types of damage. These damages include, but are not limited to, accidental exposure to chemicals, toxic medication side effects, and even liver diseases like hepatitis c as well as damage caused by over indulgence in rich foods, drugs, and alcohol.
Milk Thistle has been used very commonly in Europe for many years. The United States had not accepted the extract until only recently as it is showing a surge throughout the country. The United States is now seeing the potential and benefits of using Milk Thistle to treat many various liver problems and functions. As it penetrates the United States supplement market, suppliers are finding a hard time keeping the extract on shelves. Some retailers reported as much as a 200% jump in orders. Market analysis attributes this to the many articles being published showing scientific studies that claim the prominence of the impact on the liver when using the milk thistle extract.
While Europe may still be at the forefront of the milk thistle movement when treating liver problems, it seems as if the United States is taking the hint and beginning wide stream prominent use to aide in the recovery of the liver. With the United States and Europe on board, when will the rest of the world follow? And what will the long term effects of streamlined usage have on the effect of worldwide liver damage? Only one can guess.
http://articleslocation.com/widely-used-in-europe-milk-thistle-is-coming-to-america/
Milk Thistle is a plant which is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It can be tall, ranging anywhere from two feet to ten feet in height when erect. It has a branched and furrowed stem and large throny green root-leaves, which are known for their milk-white veins. The flowers are red-purple in color, and display small spiky black seeds which are crowned with feathery tufts. Each flower-head may produce almost 200 seeds.
Some of the other common names for milk thistle are marian thistle, our lady's thistle, holy thistle and wild artichoke.
2009 Abstract
A double blind, placebo controlled study investigated the effects of a milk thistle extract vs. a placebo in a group of 50 children being treated with chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After 56 days of treatment, those using milk thistle “had a significantly lower AST and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT”, two liver enzymes used to measure hepatotoxicity. In addition, Siliphos, the milk thistle extract used in the trial, didn’t counteract the effects of chemotherapy. It’s important to note that this was a preliminary investigation and researchers are urging subsequent research to determine the optimal dosage and duration of milk thistle treatment. Further inquiries need to establish whether the use of this herbal remedy will have any meaningful impact on survival outcome as well.
A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) † Article first published online: 14 DEC 2009
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24723
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Despite limited preclinical and clinical investigations, milk thistle (MT) is often used for the treatment of chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity. Limited treatment options exist for chemotherapy-related hepatoxicity. Given the wide use of MT, the authors investigated MT in both the laboratory and a clinical setting.
METHODS:
In a double-blind study, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hepatic toxicity were randomized to MT or placebo orally for 28 days. Liver function tests were evaluated during the study period. To assess MT in vitro, the authors evaluated supratherapeutic concentrations in an ALL cell line.
RESULTS:
Fifty children were enrolled. No significant differences in frequency of side effects, incidence and severity of toxicities, or infections were observed between groups. There were no significant changes in mean amino alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), or total bilirubin (TB) at Day 28. At Day 56, the MT group had a significantly lower AST (P = .05) and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT (P = .07). Although not significantly different, chemotherapy doses were reduced in 61% of the MT group compared with 72% of the placebo group. In vitro experiments revealed no antagonistic interactions between MT and vincristine or L-asparaginase in CCRF-CEM cells. A modest synergistic effect with vincristine was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
In children with ALL and liver toxicity, MT was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. Future study is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of MT and its effect on hepatotoxicity and leukemia-free survival. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society
During the past 2 decades, there has been an increased interest in understanding the mechanisms and clinical applications of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), an herbal plant.1-3 Prior studies have found milk thistle (MT) has both hepatoprotectant and nephroprotectant activity, thus suggesting its application as a supportive care agent.4 MT is available in the United States as a dietary supplement and most often is used for its effects on the liver. Clinical studies have investigated MT for the prevention or treatment of liver damage in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis.3, 5 A case report suggested that MT plays a beneficial role for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity.6
In the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the administration of chemotherapy agents is frequently interrupted because of liver toxicity, especially during the maintenance phase of treatment. Schmiegelow et al found that children with ALL who experience a cumulative withdrawal of methotrexate or 6 mercaptopurine of greater than 10% of the prescribed therapy have an increased risk of bone-marrow relapse (methotrexate: complete hematologic remission [CHR], 45% ± 12% versus 78% ± 5%, P = .009; 6 mercaptopurine: CHR 31% ± 12% versus 77% ± 5%, P < .00,001).7 Hepatotoxicity was the main reason for cumulative, long-term, drug withdrawals. More recent investigations have found that 66.5% of children with ALL encountered grade 2 or higher liver toxicity at some point during their therapy.8
Currently, there are no substitute chemotherapy agents that provide the same effectiveness against ALL yet preserve liver function. There are also no hepatoprotective medications that allow chemotherapy to continue to be administered while preserving liver function. Thus, adjunctive agents that may enable optimal doses of chemotherapy to be administered without necessitating a decrease in the recommended doses of chemotherapy are of clinical significance and may further improve survival in children with ALL. We present the results from a multicenter pilot study that evaluated the safety and feasibility of MT for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in children with ALL who were receiving maintenance-phase chemotherapy.
See Full Study Here : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.24723/full
2010 Nov
Silymarin use and liver disease progression in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis trial
. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
N. D. Freedman 1, T. M. Curto 2, C. Morishima 3, L. B. Seeff 4, Z. D. Goodman 5, E. C. Wright 6, R. Sinha 1, J. E. Everhart 7, the HALT-C Trial Group 1
Article first published online: 2 NOV 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04503.x
Published 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Author Information
1 Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD, USA.
2 New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USA.
3 Division of Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
4 Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, and Liver Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
5 Division of Hepatic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, USA.
6 Office of the Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
7 Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
* Correspondence: Dr N. D. Freedman, Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/320, MSC 7232, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. E-mail: freedmanne@mail.nih.gov
Abstract
* Note: The terms "milk thistle" and "silymarin" are often used interchangeably.
Background
Silymarin is the most commonly used herbal product for chronic liver disease; yet, whether silymarin protects against liver disease progression remains unclear.
Aim
To assess the effects of silymarin use on subsequent liver disease progression in 1049 patients of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial who had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis and had failed prior peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment.
Methods
Patients recorded their use of silymarin at baseline and were followed up for liver disease progression (two point increase in Ishak fibrosis score across baseline, year 1.5, and year 3.5 biopsies) and over 8.65 years for clinical outcomes.
Results
At baseline, 34% of patients had used silymarin, half of whom were current users. Use of silymarin was associated (P more then 0.05) with male gender; oesophageal varices; higher ALT and albumin; and lower AST/ALT ratio, among other features. Baseline users had less hepatic collagen content on study biopsies and had less histological progression (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33–1.00; P-trend for longer duration of use=0.026). No effect was seen for clinical outcomes. ,
Conclusions
Silymarin use among patients with advanced hepatitis C-related liver disease is associated with reduced progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, but has no impact on clinical outcomes (Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00006164).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04503.x/abstract