A randomized trial assessing the efficacy of Silymarin on endometrioma-related manifestations

Abstract

To study the effect of silymarin on the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) level, size of endometrioma lesion, pain, sexual function, and Quality of Life (QoL) in women diagnosed with endometriosis. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 70 women with endometriosis which was divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention was 140 mg silymarin (or matching placebo) administered twice daily for 12 weeks. The volume of endometrioma lesions, the level of IL-6 concentration in serum, pain, sexual function, and QoL were analyzed before and after the intervention. The means of endometrioma volume (P = 0.04), IL-6 (P = 0.002), and pain (P < 0.001) were reduced significantly in the silymarin group after intervention. However, the QoL and female sexual function did not improve substantially in the two groups (P > 0.05). Silymarin significantly reduced interleukin-6 levels, sizes of endometrioma lesions, and pain-related symptoms. The trial has been registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20150905023897N5) on 4th February 2020 (04/02/2020) (https://en.irct.ir/trial/42215) and the date of initial participant enrollment was 2nd March 2020 (02/03/2020).

Antioxidant Agent to Improve Endometriosis Related Pain (Dysmenorrhea, Dyspareunia, Pelvic Pain): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Cerum oxide nanoparticles, resveratrol, vitamin E, vitamin C, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) were among the antioxidant agents that were frequently used. Research conducted by Amini et al and Mirzaei et al demonstrated that a combination of 1000 mg/day of vitamin C and 800 IU/day of vitamin E, or 140 mg of livergol, for a period of 12 weeks significantly alleviated pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia (p<0.05) [7,8]. Nodler et al study, on the other hand, discovered no significant impact on it [9].…”

Women suffering from endometrioma-related symptoms may benefit from Silymarin, an antioxidant

“…In October 2022, a randomised trial was conducted to study Silymarin's efficacy on endometrioma-related manifestations. 4 The trial was the first of its kind. It showed that Silymarin, a herbal supplement with potent antioxidant effects, significantly decrease endometrioma size and the chronic pelvic pain related to it.…”

“…It showed that Silymarin, a herbal supplement with potent antioxidant effects, significantly decrease endometrioma size and the chronic pelvic pain related to it. 4 Oxidative Stress, an imbalance between ROS and antioxidants, is known as a primary factor in the endometriosis pathogenesis 5 and Silymarin may be ten times as potent as Vitamin E, another antioxidant which has been investigated in relation to endometriosis treatment. 4 In Pakistan, the estimated prevalence of endometriosis is 16.8% 6 which means a significant number of women are living with the manifestations that come with the disease, including endometriomas, which are seen in 17 to 44% of individuals with endometriosis.…”