Medicinal Plants with Hepatoprotective Activity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are significant global health concerns, resulting from viral infections and exposure to substances that are harmful to the liver. Natural products are crucial in the identification of several novel medications and active components. Medicinal herbs and herbal mixtures are used to treat a variety of liver problems. However, in extreme circumstances, the efficacy of a single medicinal plant is not very satisfying. These plants possess potent medicinal compounds such as alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, antioxidants, and terpenes that have hepatoprotective properties against harmful substances.

Silibum marianum, also known as milk thistle, contains Silymarin which has proven efficacy against specific liver diseases. Glycyrrhiza glabra, or Glycyrrhizin, Picrorhiza kurroa with picrosides I and II, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis with β-sitosterol, Andrographis paniculata with Andrographolide, Trichopus zeylanicus, Eclipta alba, and Phyllanthus amarus are also effective against certain liver diseases.

Keywords: Hepatoprotective, hepatitis, medicinal plants, phytochemicals