IdB 1016 Treatment for Hepatitis C Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * HCV infection according to ELISA-2 * Detectable HCV RNA PCR as measured within the previous 6 months * Poor responders to, inadequate candidates for, or unwilling to use interferon-based therapies * Serum ALT \>= 1.3 times above normal * Persistently elevated serum ALT levels according to two measures in the previous 12 months * Evidence of stage II (periportal fibrosis), III (bridging fibrosis), or IV (compensated cirrhosis) in the Batts-Ludwig scoring system according to a liver biopsy performed in the last 2 (stage II and III patients) to 5 (stage IV patients) years. Patients with clinical signs of compensated cirrhosis (portal hypertension, non-bleeding varices) do not require a biopsy. * Able and willing to follow protocol directions for the duration of the study * Able and willing to maintain a consistent lifestyle routine (e.g., diet, exercise, medications, and dietary supplements) and sleep schedule for the duration of the study * Able and willing to stop taking dietary supplements outside the study protocol for the duration of the study * Able and willing to practice two methods of contraception during the study period, including the 4 week follow-up. This applies to women with childbearing potential and men whose sexual partners have childbearing potential. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Liver synthetic dysfunction (albumin \< 3.2 g/dL, total bilirubin \> 3.0 mg/dL, prothrombin time \> 1.5 seconds prolonged) * History of ascites, variceal bleeding, encephalopathy, jaundice, or extrahepatic biliary obstruction * History of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Known concomitant acute or chronic viral liver infections (e.g., hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr, or cytomegalovirus) * Concomitant autoimmune and inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus) * Other types of concomitant liver disease * HIV-1 coinfection * Chronic use of hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., acetaminophen) * Interferon-based therapies in the past 6 months * Alcohol consumption within 3 months prior to entry. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse should be at least 2 years into recovery. * Use of recreational oral or IV drugs. Patients with a history of drug addiction should be at least 2 years into recovery. * History of untreated malignancy * Remission from previous malignant neoplasms \<= 6 months * History of significant renal, endocrine, cardiac, or pulmonary disease * Use of supplements containing compounds derived from milk thistle * Proven allergy to milk thistle or any derived compounds * Subjects taking warfarin or coumadin due to silybin's potential interactions with cytochrome CYP 29C * Any condition or concomitant medication or supplement that could hinder the outcomes of the study or the safety of the patient as determined by the principal investigator