| Objective: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of silymarin supplementation on
glycemic indices and serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Methods: 40 T2DM patients (twenty male and twenty female), 25–50 years of age and on stable medication,
were recruited for the present paralleled, randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The
participants were randomly assigned to the silymarin or placebo groups, in which the patients either received
140 mg of silymarin, thrice daily (n=20) or placebo (n=20) for 45 days. Anthropometric and dietary intake
data were collected at the baseline and end of the trial. Fasting blood samples were collected, and glycemic
indices and lipid profile were determined at baseline, as well as the end of the study.
Results: Silymarin supplementation led to significant reduction in fasting blood sugar, serum insulin, homeostatic
model assessment for insulin resistance, serum triglyceride and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol ratio as compared to the placebo, by 11.01, 14.35, 25.92, 23.7 and 27.67% respectively. There was
significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index
in the silymarin group as compared to the placebo group, by 6.88 and 5.64% respectively, (p < 0.05). Total
cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased in the silymarin group
as compared to the baseline, by 7.93 (p=0.001) and 7.15% (p=0.02), respectively.
Conclusion: Silymarin supplementation may improve the glycemic indices and lipid profiles of T2DM patients.
More studies are needed to validate the adjunct use of silymarin for metabolic control of T2DM patients. |