Overview
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a leading neurodegenerative movement disorder, marked by a gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the accumulation of α-synuclein protein aggregates. Silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, will be studied for its neuroprotective effects in PD.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 45 and 65 years old
- Both sexes
- Patients with Parkinson's disease on dopamine replacement therapy
- Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage, MHY 1-4 (29)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects < 18 years of age
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Suspected hypersensitivity to silymarin or multivitamins
- Advanced liver disease (e.g., ascites, bleeding esophageal varices, and hepatic encephalopathy)
- Subjects with morbid obesity, i.e., a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40
- Subjects with severe illness, e.g., multisystem failure, cancer, or poorly controlled diabetes, i.e., known diabetic with Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)>7%
- Current use of Silymarin or recent use within the past two weeks.
- Other conditions, which, in the opinion of the investigators, make the patient unsuitable for enrollment.