Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK:

The authors have previously reported the use of Silymarin (a Silybum marianum standardized extract) as a promoter of milk production in cows. Due to the important psychological impact of hypogalactia in women after delivery, we evaluated the role of Silymarin as a safe and effective galactogogue for human species.

METHODS:

50 healthy women during lactation were enrolled in order to verify the galactogogue role played by an oral treatment with micronized Silymarin (420 mg/day) in comparison with an undistinguishable placebo product.

RESULTS:

Women orally treated for 63 days with Silymarin showed a clear galactagogue role for the product with an increase of 85.94% of the daily milk production (placebo: +32.09%). No drop out, nor unwanted effects were reported in both groups. Compliance and tolerability were also very good.

CONCLUSIONS:

Silymarin may be considered as a safe and effective herbal product that can be orally administered in order to improve the daily milk production in healthy women after delivery, without affecting milk quality.

• Authors: Francesco Di Pierro, Alberto Callegari, Domenico Carotenuto, Marco Mollo Tapia
• Journal: Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis (Acta Biomed) Vol. 79 Issue 3 Pg. 205-10 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 0392-4203 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 19260380 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Silymarin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Breast Feeding
• Data Interpretation, Statistical
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Lactation (drug effects)
• Milk, Human (chemistry)
• Safety
• Silymarin (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Time Factors