Complementary therapies in medicine
-
Complement Ther Med · Dec 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialThe impact of silymarin on antioxidant and oxidative status in patients with β-thalassemia major: A crossover, randomized controlled trial.
Blood transfusion therapy is lifesaving for individuals with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Iron burden following blood transfusion is the main cause of oxidative stress (OS) and organ dysfunction in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of silymarin on serum antioxidant and oxidative status in patients with β-TM. ⋯ Silymarin was effective in decreasing serum OS and enhancing serum antioxidant capability in patients with β-thalassemia major. Silymarin given as an adjuvant therapy to standard iron chelators may provide an improvement in the OS measurements obtained in these patients, with accompanying benefit.