Silymarin review finds lower creatinine, with substantial variation between studies
Pooled trials suggest a change in a kidney blood marker, but the abstract does not establish better patient outcomes.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled trials found lower serum creatinine with silymarin, although results varied substantially between studies. The chronic kidney disease subgroup did not show a statistically significant reduction. These findings concern a blood marker; the abstract does not demonstrate prevention of kidney failure, slower disease progression, or improvements in how patients feel.
This abstract-based explanation cannot assess individual trials in detail. The authors identify few analyzed studies and substantial differences between them, limiting confidence in the pooled result.
What researchers found
Standardized difference in serum creatinine change
Silymarin versus controls; timing not reported in the abstract. Hedges' g is negative for lower creatinine. The 95% confidence interval, −2.02 to −0.43, gives a range of effects compatible with the data.
What the estimate measures
The pooled estimate puts creatinine changes on a standardized scale so studies can be combined. It describes a laboratory measurement, rather than a percentage reduction in kidney failure or other clinical events.
Subgroups require caution
Creatinine fell significantly in the subgroup with acute kidney injury caused by drugs, but the chronic disease result was inconclusive. This difference in statistical significance does not establish different treatment effects between those groups.
The original publication
Nephroprotective Effects of Silymarin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Frounchi N, Mahmoodpoor F, Zakavi SS et al.
Biochemistry (Mosc) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40886393
- Record checked
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