Use of Silymarine as Adjuvant in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Poorly Controlled with Insulin

Abstract

Background: Glycemic control and prevention of secondary complications are the most important aims of using pharmacological treatments in diabetes mellitus. Due to the high incidence of inadequate response to insulin and, we try to evaluate the effects of adjunct use of silymarin with insulin on glycemic control, lipid profile and renal function in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients.
Patients and Methods: Placebo-controlled, doubled blinded clinical trial method is utilized through which 60 type 1 DM patients allocated into two groups, 30 patients treated with insulin and silymarin 400 mg/day in two divided doses, while the other 30 patients treated with insulin and placebo for 60 days. Fasting serum glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, lipid profile and microalbuminuria were evaluated at base line and after 60 days.
Results: Compared with placebo, silymarin significantly improves the effects of insulin through the reduction of fasting serum glucose, HbA1c and increase C-peptide level, associated with improving lipid profile and renal function.
Conclusion: Adjunct use of silymarin with insulin improves glycemic control associated with improving lipid profile and renal function, an effect that may be related to increased insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.