---
title: "Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and silymarin as a potential…"
description: "Milk thistle and its component silymarin show promise for treating metabolic syndrome due to their various health benefits."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30015401.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30015401.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30015401.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d30015401"
journal: "Phytother Res"
year: 2018
pmid: "30015401"
doi: "10.1002/ptr.6153"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and silymarin as a potential therapeutic plant in metabolic syndrome: a review

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30015401.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d30015401

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Phytother Res |
| Year | 2018 |
| PMID | [30015401](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30015401/) |
| DOI | [10.1002/ptr.6153](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6153) |
| Study key | d30015401 |

## Takeaway

Milk thistle and its component silymarin show promise for treating metabolic syndrome due to their various health benefits.

## The question

What are the potential therapeutic effects of Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and its main component silymarin in metabolic syndrome?

## Hypothesis

Silybum marianum and silymarin may exhibit beneficial effects on various components of metabolic syndrome due to their antioxidant, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective properties.

## Methods

This is a review article that summarizes existing animal and human studies on the effects of Silybum marianum in metabolic syndrome and identifies its underlying mechanisms of action.

## Results

The review found that Silybum marianum exhibits antioxidant, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective effects, which are relevant to the management of metabolic syndrome.

## Conclusion

Silybum marianum and its main component silymarin show potential as a therapeutic plant for metabolic syndrome due to their diverse beneficial effects.

## Limitations

This is a review and does not present new experimental data. The specific limitations of the individual studies reviewed are not detailed in the abstract.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> Silymarin exhibits antioxidant, lipid-lowering, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Silymarin (Milk Thistle) | Moderate evidence | [Silymarin (Milk Thistle)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/112.md) |

## Reference

1. **Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and silymarin as a potential therapeutic plant in metabolic syndrome: a review**
   Phytother Res 2018 · [PMID 30015401](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30015401/) · [DOI 10.1002/ptr.6153](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6153)

   > Silymarin exhibits antioxidant, lipid-lowering, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Silymarin (Milk Thistle)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/112.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: improves liver enzymes, lipids](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s112.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).