Integrative Cancer Therapies

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here for free access to the SAGE eReference platform!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Sagar, S. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Sagar, S. M.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 6, No. 2, 166-173 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1534735407301566

Future Directions for Research on Silybum marianum for Cancer Patients

Stephen M. Sagar, BSc Hons, MB, BS, MRCP, FRCR, FRCPC

McMaster University and Juravinski Cancer Centre, 699 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada, stephen.sagar{at}hrcc.on.ca.

Silymarin (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn. [Asteraceae]) is a promising agent for cancer prevention, adjuvant cancer treatment, and reduction of iatrogenic toxicity. Although it is safe and free of serious adverse side effects, few studies have evaluated its use alongside conventional cytotoxic therapies, and adverse events associated with long-term administration are uncertain. Although it may prevent some types of cancer, its promotion of tissue regeneration and its potential estrogen activity could promote the growth of some tumors. Further clinical trials using authenticated fractions of silymarin as simple and complex derivatives are required prior to any general recommendations. Future research should focus on authentication of active chemicals, pharmacokinetics, adverse interactions and quality control, prevention of cancer initiation and progression, adjuvant therapy for specific cancers, and prevention of toxicity from anticancer therapies.

Key Words: silymarin • milk thistle • cancer • research • oncology


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?