Silymarin and diabetic nephropathy

Nephropathy is one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus and drug induced toxicity. Nephrotoxicity is mostly related to oxidative stress and nowadays much attention has been made towards the possible kidney protective properties of medicinal plants. Studies revealed, silymarin is useful for diabetic nephropathy. The combination of metformin, silymarin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers may have additive kidney protective property to prevent or slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.