The efficacy of silymarin in the treatment of physiological neonatal jaundice: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Year 2013, Volume: 5 , 1 - 8, 04.02.2013

Lamyaa Kassem

Abstract

Background: Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common conditions in neonates. Conventional treatment are phototherapy and exchange transfusion. Phototherapy is safe and effective, but it has several disadvantages. That indicates the need to develop an alternative pharmacological treatment strategies. It should be less invasive, and at least, as effective and safe as phototherapy. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Silybum marianum (silymarin) on the duration of phototherapy, which is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatic protective, regenerative and enhancing glucoronidation activities.
Patients and methods: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in170 full term healthy neonates with UCB in two well-matched groups. 85 received oral 0.75mg/kg of Silymarin twice daily plus phototherapy and 85 neonates received placebo and phototherapy. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) was measured every 24h, SGPT and SGOT level were measured before and after therapy for both groups.
Results: The mean duration of phototherapy was found to be significantly reduced from 5.3± 0.82 days in the control group to 4.2± 0.76 days in Silymarin-treated group (p=0.001). SGPT and SGOT levels were significantly normalized (p=.001).
Conclusion: Silymarin dose of 3.75 mg/kg twice daily along with phototherapy was more effective than phototherapy alone in treating full term healthy neonates with UCB.

Keywords

silymarin, neonatal jaundice, phototherapy, bilirubin

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