Recent insights into the hepatoprotective potential of medicinal plants and plant-derived compounds

Liver problems are a worldwide concern, and conventional medicinal therapies are ineffective. Hence, safeguarding the healthy liver is vital for good health and well-being. Infections due to virus, immune problems, cancer, alcohol abuse, and an overdose of drugs are some of the causes of liver diseases. Antioxidants derived from medicinal plants and conventional dietary sources can protect the liver from damages caused by oxidative stress system and various chemicals. Plants and plant-derived phytochemicals are appealing hepatoprotective agents since they have less side effects and still there is a lot of interest shown in using herbal tonics for treating liver disorders. This review therefore primarily focuses on newly discovered medicinal plants and compounds produced from plants that fall under the classifications of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenolics, sterols, anthocyanins, and saponin glycosides, all of which have the potential to be hepatoprotective. Hosta plantaginea, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Daniella oliveri, Garcinia mangostana, Solanum melongena, Vaccinium myrtillus, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Citrus medica are some potential plants having hepatoprotective effects. We conclude that these phytochemicals and the plant extracts listed above are used in the future to treat a variety of liver diseases, additional research is still needed to develop safer and more potent phytochemical drugs.

Automated summary

Liver problems are a global concern and conventional therapies are ineffective. Protecting the liver is crucial for good health. Infections, immune issues, cancer, alcohol abuse, and drug overdose can cause liver diseases. Antioxidants from plants and dietary sources can protect the liver from oxidative stress and chemicals. Plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenolics, sterols, anthocyanins, and saponin glycosides show hepatoprotective potential. More research is needed to develop safer and more potent phytochemical drugs for treating liver diseases.