Concerted Action for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Assessment in the Cancer Field (CAM-Cancer)
Abstract
Milk thistle herbal products are made from seeds of Silybum marianum. Milk thistle has a long history of medicinal use. It is widely used to treat digestive and liver disorders. Claims in relation to cancer are that milk thistle prevents cancer initiation, reduces cancer development, reduces adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and supports the action of some anticancer drugs.
While numerous animal and in vitro models support these claims, they are not supported by data from clinical studies. Only one randomised pilot study is available which is merely showing a trend towards a reduction of hepatic toxicity.
Milk thistle is generally well tolerated and appears safe.
In summary, currently there is insufficient clinical evidence to support or refute the claims for milk thistle in relation to cancer management
