Siliphos® (Silybin Phytosome — Indena)

Silybum marianum
Evidence Level
Strong
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

Siliphos® is a silybin phytosome® formulation developed by Indena (Italy) — using Phytosome® technology applied to silybin (the most active component of milk thistle silymarin complex). Distinguished by ~10× higher silybin bioavailability vs standard silymarin, focusing on silybin (vs full silymarin complex) for clinical applications. Used for: liver health, hepatoprotection, fatty liver adjunct, hepatic detoxification support.

Studied Dose 120-360 mg/day Siliphos (silybin equivalent)
Active Compound Silybin Phytosome® (silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex from Silybum marianum)

Benefits

Liver Health and Hepatoprotection

Siliphos provides bioavailable silybin for liver protection — multiple clinical trials in liver applications including fatty liver, viral hepatitis adjunct, and hepatotoxic exposure protection.

Fatty Liver (NAFLD) Support

Multiple trials show Siliphos improves liver enzyme markers (ALT, AST) and steatosis markers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

10× Bioavailability vs Standard Silymarin

Standard silymarin (containing silybin + other flavonolignans) has poor bioavailability; Siliphos addresses this. Critical for clinical efficacy.

Antioxidant Liver Cell Protection

Silybin protects hepatocytes from oxidative damage; supports glutathione regeneration; foundation of liver protective effects.

Hepatotoxic Exposure Adjunct

Used as adjunct for hepatotoxic medications, alcohol-related liver stress, environmental toxin exposure.

Mechanism of action

1

Silybin Most Active Component

Silymarin from milk thistle is mixture of flavonolignans — silybin (silibinin) is the most active component; comprises ~50-60% of silymarin. Siliphos focuses on silybin specifically for higher activity.

2

Phytosome® Bioavailability Enhancement

Standard silymarin has poor bioavailability (~5-10%); Phytosome improves silybin absorption ~10×.

3

Hepatocyte Membrane Protection

Silybin stabilizes hepatocyte (liver cell) membranes; protects from toxin entry; foundation of antidote effect against amanita mushroom poisoning.

4

Antioxidant and Glutathione Support

Direct antioxidant + supports endogenous glutathione (master liver antioxidant) regeneration.

5

Anti-Inflammatory Liver Effects

Reduces inflammatory markers in liver tissue.

Clinical trials

1
Siliphos for Fatty Liver — Multiple Trials

Multiple Siliphos trials in NAFLD patients on liver enzymes, steatosis, fibrosis markers.

NAFLD patients.

Significant improvements in ALT, AST, steatosis markers vs placebo. Established Siliphos NAFLD evidence.

2
Silymarin for Liver Health Evidence Synthesis

Pooled analyses of silymarin (including bioavailable forms like Siliphos) for various liver conditions.

Various liver disease populations.

Generally supportive evidence for liver enzyme improvements and protective effects; bioavailable forms more reliable.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally extremely well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Allergic reactions to Asteraceae family rare.
Mild laxative effect at high doses.
Soy allergy considerations (Phytosome).

Important Drug interactions

Hepatically-metabolized medications — silymarin may modestly affect CYP enzymes; consult.
Diabetes medications — modest hypoglycemic effects.
Anticoagulants — modest interactions.
Pregnancy — milk thistle traditionally considered safe; supplemental use limited specific data; consult.
Lactation — milk thistle traditionally considered safe; widely used.
Active liver disease — consult hepatologist before use; not replacement for medical management.
Soy allergy — Phytosome consideration.

Frequently asked questions about Siliphos® (Silybin Phytosome — Indena)

What is Siliphos?

Siliphos® is a silybin phytosome® formulation developed by Indena (Italy) — using Phytosome® technology applied to silybin (the most active component of milk thistle silymarin complex).

What is Siliphos used for?

Siliphos is researched primarily for Liver Health. Siliphos provides bioavailable silybin for liver protection — multiple clinical trials in liver applications including fatty liver, viral hepatitis adjunct, and hepatotoxic exposure protection.

What is the recommended dosage of Siliphos?

The clinically studied dose is 120-360 mg/day Siliphos (silybin equivalent) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Siliphos safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Siliphos is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally extremely well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. Siliphos is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Siliphos interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Hepatically-metabolized medications — silymarin may modestly affect CYP enzymes; consult. Diabetes medications — modest hypoglycemic effects. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Siliphos?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Siliphos as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Loguercio C, Andreone P, Brisc C, Brisc MC, Bugianesi E, Chiaramonte M, Cursaro C, Danila M, de Sio I, Floreani A, Freni MA, Grieco A, et al. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Free Radic Biol Med. 2012;52(9):1658-1665. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.02.008.PubMedUsed to support: Backs the NAFLD/fatty-liver use of the silybin-phospholipid (silybin-phosphatidylcholine) complex. The largest, multicenter randomized controlled (Realsil) trial for this compound class and the strongest efficacy evidence here, though it tests the silybin-vitamin E-phospholipid combination rather than silybin-phospholipid alone.
  2. Loguercio C, Federico A, Trappoliere M, Tuccillo C, de Sio I, Di Leva A, Niosi M, D'Auria MV, Capasso R, Del Vecchio Blanco C The effect of a silybin-vitamin E-phospholipid complex on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study Dig Dis Sci. 2007;52(9):2387-2395. doi: 10.1007/s10620-006-9703-2.PubMedUsed to support: Backs the NAFLD use of the silybin-phospholipid complex (improved liver enzymes/insulin resistance). Small open-label pilot study (Loguercio/Federico/Trappoliere); preliminary, hypothesis-generating for the larger Realsil trial.
  3. Falasca K, Ucciferri C, Mancino P, Vitacolonna E, De Tullio D, Pizzigallo E, Conti P, Vecchiet J Treatment with silybin-vitamin E-phospholipid complex in patients with hepatitis C infection J Med Virol. 2008;80(11):1900-1906. doi: 10.1002/jmv.21292.PubMedUsed to support: Backs use of the silybin-phospholipid complex in chronic liver disease (hepatitis C: liver enzymes, oxidative stress, insulin resistance). Small uncontrolled clinical study; preliminary.
  4. Yanyu X, Yunmei S, Zhipeng C, Qineng P The preparation of silybin-phospholipid complex and the study on its pharmacokinetics in rats Int J Pharm. 2006;307(1):77-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2005.10.001.PubMedUsed to support: Backs the core pharmacokinetic rationale: complexing silybin with phospholipid markedly improves its absorption/bioavailability. Preclinical (rat) PK study, supporting the technology rather than a clinical outcome.