Therapeutic potential of silymarin as a natural iron‐chelating agent in β‐thalassemia intermedia

Abstract

Abstract Abnormal iron accumulation in vital organs is one of the major complications of β‐thalassemia intermedia (β‐TI). Silymarin, a flavonolignan isolated from Silybum marianum, significantly decreases the serum ferritin levels of β‐TI patients. This finding suggests silymarin as a safe and effective natural iron‐chelating agent for the treatment of iron‐overloaded conditions.

Keywords

• ferritin
• iron chelator
• liver
• milk thistle
• silymarin
• thalassemia