Effects of silymarin on insulin resistance and sensitivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of silymarin in improving HOMA-IR and FI levels in metabolic diseases, and it generally does not appear to significantly improve these parameters. Future studies should aim to increase the number of high-quality RCTs to further validate the efficacy and safety of silymarin, as well as to explore its underlying mechanisms.
Study context
- Population
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from Iran, Egypt and Italy in metabolic diseases (T2D, diabetics with alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)); databases searched up to September 2024
- Participants
- 673 participants6 studies
- Comparison
- Silymarin supplementation vs placebo
- Outcome
- HOMA-IR and fasting insulin (FI)
Methodological detailsAll studies had low risk of bias (Cochrane RoB 2)
- All studies had low risk of bias (Cochrane RoB 2)
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Silybum marianum significantly improved homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR): WMD (95% CI −4.55 to −0.03), p = 0.047
−2.29
Silybum marianum had no effect on fasting insulin (FI): WMD (95% CI −7.60 to 2.48), p = 0.862
−2.56
Further pooled results
HOMA-IR by disease subgroup
- Improvements in HOMA-IR for T2D and diabetics with alcoholic cirrhosis; no effect in NAFLD
QUICKI
- QUICKI did not show significant changes in any group; only one study reported QUICKI
Original publication
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