Herbal remedies for liver protection: Therapeutic potential and challenges

• Author Details:   
• Pankaj Khuspe ^*
• Kishori Khuspe
• Prashant Kumar Katiyar
• Sujit Desai
• Bhakti Sabale

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A significant worldwide health burden, liver illnesses are frequently brought on by long-term exposure to hepatotoxins, alcohol misuse, viral infections and metabolic problems. Alternative and complementary approaches are required because traditional medication for liver problems is often linked to side effects, high costs and poor efficacy. The hepatoprotective potential of herbal medications has drawn a lot of attention because of its bioactive ingredients, safety record and historical use. A broad range of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for liver protection are methodically examined in this review. It emphasizes the hepatoprotective properties of phytochemicals like terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Critical analysis is done on the mechanisms of action, which include antioxidative activity, membrane stability, anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of liver regeneration. The pharmacological data, clinical significance and therapeutic efficacy of plants like Phyllanthus niruri, Silybum marianum, andrographis paniculata, Boerhavia diffusa and Picrorhiza kurroa have all been thoroughly evaluated. In addition, issues including pharmacokinetics, formulation development, standardization and regulatory constraints are discussed. Strong preclinical and clinical validation are necessary for the incorporation of herbal hepatoprotective medicines into contemporary treatment frameworks. In order to support evidence-based phytotherapy and promote more research on natural hepatoprotective substances, this review attempts to give a thorough grasp of herbal medications for liver protection.

Keywords: Hepatoprotective, Herbal medicine, Liver diseases, Phytochemicals, Traditional medicine.