Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Silymarin Treatment in Patients With Acute Viral Hepatitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis (\<1 month) as manifested by a combination of the following symptoms: jaundice, dark-colored urine, light-colored stools, pruritus, pruritic red hives, fever, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, aversion to smoking and right upper abdominal discomfort, pain or feeling of pressure. * Serum ALT level \> 2.5 times the upper limit of normal. * Albumin level \>3.5 gm/dl * Negative anti-HCV antibody * Males and females \>= 18 years of age. * Subject has given written informed consent. If patient is between 18 and 21 years parents/legal guardian have/has also signed the informed consent form. * The subject is able and willing to undertake all study-required procedures and has the ability to take oral medications. 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) * Chronic liver disease as cirrhosis * Subjects with positive anti-HCV antibody * Simultaneous elevation of bilirubin \> 10 mg/dl along with an ALT level between 100 and 150 U/L * Platelets count \<150,000 * 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% * Obvious history of drug-induced acute hepatitis. A careful history of all medications, pesticide and other hepatotoxic exposures occurring within one month prior to symptom onset will be taken. If a patient is unaware of the name of the drugs, (s)he will be asked to bring it for inspection. * Current use of Silymarin or recent use within past two weeks. * Other conditions, which in the opinion of the investigators, makes the patient unsuitable for enrollment or could interfere with his/her participation in, and completion of, the protocol (e.g. severe mental illness) * The subject is currently participating in any clinical trial (marketed product or otherwise), or has done so within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to screening visit * History or current drug or alcohol abuse * Female patient with childbearing potential without negative pregnancy test * Patient is known to be HIV positive.