Medicinal Plants with Hepatoprotective Activity: A Review

Author(s): S. D. Chavan*, R. J. Dias and C. S. Magdum

Abstract: The liver is essential organ of dominant importance involved in the safeguarding of metabolic functions and detoxification of the exogenous and endogenous substances. Impaired liver function affects the different homeostatic mechanisms, with potentially serious consequences. The potentially reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously generated inside the human body as a result of the exposure to exogenous chemicals. Under normal conditions, the ROS generated are detoxified by the antioxidant defences leading to equilibrium between these two processes. To prevent the damage caused by ROS, living organisms have developed an antioxidant defence system that includes the presence of nonezymatic antioxidants and enzymes. Thus, the use of antioxidants in the prevention and cure of various diseases is expanding, and there is considerable interest in the study of the antioxidant activities of molecules. Thus, the discovery of the substitute therapeutic means for the treatment of the liver disease is required. The treatment with less side effects and minimum possible dosage regimen should be the aim. Plants have played an important role in the discovery of novel and useful drugs used in modern medicine. The present review elaborates different plants used for the treatment of the hepatoprotective activity by using different models of hepatotoxicity.

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