title: Effect of silymarin in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the role of oxidative stresses has been confirmed in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and the protective effect of silymarin against oxidative stresses has been proven in different organs, no study has yet been conducted on the impact of silymarin on allergic rhinitis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized clinical trial study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two tertiary referral centers with otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery and allergy and immunology departments.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized clinical trial, 94 patients with the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and a positive skin prick test were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. Their signs and symptoms, eosinophil percentage on nasal smear, serum IgE, and interleukin (IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ) levels were recorded. The study group was treated with silymarin, whereas the control group received placebo, both for 1 month, along with routine antihistamine treatment. At the end of the treatment course, clinical and laboratory findings were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients completed the trial. Based on the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20), a significant improvement in clinical symptom severity was observed in both groups (9.23 ± 5.14 vs 2.20 ± 2.69; P < .001), which was statistically significantly higher in the study group (P < .001). Posttreatment percentage of nasal eosinophils and cytokine levels showed no significant difference (P > .05). Rise in serum IgE level was seen after treatment with silymarin (P = .003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the statistically effective role of silymarin in alleviating the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, applying this herbal antioxidant along with other medications may result in better management.
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose and Throat Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakhshaee
authors.forename: Farahzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jabbari
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoseini
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farid
authors.forename: Mohammad Hadi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sadeghian
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajati
authors.forename: Amir Houshang
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mohamadpoor
authors.forename: Rahman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Movahhed
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zamani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012838:Silymarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D012838:Silymarin