Therapeutic Effects of Silymarin in Patients With B-thalassemia Major
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.