Effects of Concomitant use of silymarin on solid tumors chemotherapy: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Anti-cancer potential of silymarin have been shown in cell culture. However, regarding this matter no prospective clinical study has been done. In a randomized double blind pilot study, we compared effects of addition of standard chemotherapy along with silymarin (420mg/day) versus placebo on clinical response of advanced tumors after three cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in tumor size after three consecutive chemotherapy courses but a trend toward lower metastasis rate in chemotherapy silymarin group. Concomitant use of silymarin along with chemotherapy was very well tolerated but didn’t significantly increase clinical response. Due to trend toward significant lower metastasis in silymarin group, further study with larger sample size is needed to better clarify probable role of adjunctive therapy with silymarin in patients with solid tumors.