Silybum marianum · Silymarin
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean whose seeds contain a complex of flavonolignans collectively called silymarin. Silymarin is roughly 70-80% silibinin (also spelled silybin), with smaller amounts of silydianin, silychristin, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B. Silibinin is the most pharmacologically active component.
Starting dose. 200-300mg — Silymarin (or 100-150mg silybin phytosome)
Take with meals containing fat to optimize absorption (silymarin is fat-soluble). Phytosome forms have better absorption with or without food. Split dosing (2-3x daily) maintains steadier hepatic levels.
Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.
Silibinin (the active component) competitively inhibits the OATP transporter on hepatocyte membranes, blocking uptake of toxins (including amatoxins from death cap mushrooms). This is the dramatic protective mechanism in mushroom poisoning.
Silymarin has potent antioxidant activity - it directly scavenges reactive oxygen species, regenerates glutathione, and prevents lipid peroxidation in hepatocyte membranes. This protects against multiple chemical hepatotoxins including ethanol metabolites (acetaldehyde), CCl4, and acetaminophen reactive metabolites.
Anti-inflammatory: silymarin inhibits NF-kB signaling, TNF-alpha production, and 5-lipoxygenase, reducing hepatic inflammation. This contributes to its benefit in NAFLD and chronic hepatitis.
Membrane stabilization: silibinin incorporates into hepatocyte cell membranes, increasing fluidity and reducing toxin penetration. This 'membrane fortification' is partly responsible for its hepatoprotection.
Regeneration: silymarin stimulates RNA polymerase I, increasing ribosomal RNA synthesis and protein production in hepatocytes - supporting liver regeneration after injury.
Insulin sensitization: silymarin improves hepatic insulin signaling and reduces hepatic glucose production - relevant in NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.
Anti-fibrotic: silymarin inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen deposition, potentially slowing fibrosis progression in chronic liver disease.
Weeks 1-4: Subjective wellbeing, recovery from hepatic stressors.
Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.
Evidence boundary from the checked abstract: The adverse event profile of silymarin was comparable with that of placebo.
The adverse event profile of silymarin was comparable with that of placebo.
Evidence scope. This entry supports only the exact statement quoted from the live abstract; it does not independently verify OnePin's displayed dose, route, frequency, formulation, population, or broader mechanism.
Claims we could not support
No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.
Dose/route: 200-300mg silymarin (or 100-150mg silybin phytosome); Oral; 2-3x daily with meals. No checked live PubMed abstract verified this exact displayed dose, route, and frequency for the same molecule/formulation and relevant population.
Primary safety claim: Mild GI effects: bloating, gas, loose stools (uncommon). No checked live PubMed abstract directly verified this source-JSON safety claim at the displayed formulation, route, and regimen.
Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.
Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.
For silibinin and metabolites; phytosome form has slightly longer effective half-life.
Oral standard form; ~2-3 hours phytosome.
Plasma clearance 12-24 hours. Hepatic effects persist longer due to membrane incorporation.
Standard silymarin: ~10-20% (poorly water-soluble). Phytosome (Siliphos): ~70-95%. Food (especially fat) improves standard form absorption modestly.
Acute hepatoprotective effects: 6-12 hours per dose. Chronic effects on liver enzymes/NAFLD build over 4-12 weeks of consistent dosing.
Hepatic Phase II conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation), biliary excretion (with enterohepatic recirculation).
Storage. Store at room temperature (20-25C) in a cool, dry place. Protect from light and moisture. Standardized extracts shelf-stable 2+ years. Phytosome forms similarly stable.
Classified as a dietary supplement in the US - no prescription required. Approved as hepatoprotective agent in Germany (Commission E). IV silibinin (Legalon SIL) is approved emergency drug in Europe and available via FDA orphan drug program in US for mushroom poisoning.
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