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REVIEW ARTICLE
Article Information
Received 10 January 2014
Received in revised form 18 Feb 2014
Accepted 20 Feb 2014
Abstract
Liver is the very important part of our body responsible for the maximum metabolic and secretory
activities and therefore appears to be a sensitive target site for substances modulating
Keywords:
Herbal drugs
Hepatoprotective
Liver Injury
Hepatotoxicity
biotransformation. Liver is also associated in detoxification from the exogenous and endogenous
therapy. During all such exposures to the above mentioned challenges, if the usual defensive
Corresponding Author:
E-mail: dbhowmik2005@yahoo.com
Tel.: +919893571085
challenges like xenobiotics, drugs, viral infections and chronic alcoholism. The period and
intensity of the pharmacological response to drugs is influenced by their metabolic rate and
hence substances capable to modify drug metabolism would be able to change the result of drug
mechanisms of the liver are overpowered, the effect is liver damage. Liver injury or liver
dysfunction is a major health problem that challenges not only medical professionals but also the
pharmaceutical company and drug regulatory authorities. Liver cell injury caused by various toxic
chemicals like certain antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide,
excessive alcohol consumption and microbes. Herbal medicines have been applied for the
treatment of liver disorder for a lengthy period. Many herbal preparations are available in the
market and therefore present review is aimed to compile the data on promising phytochemicals
from medicinal plants that have been tested in hepatotoxicity models using modern scientific
system.
1 Introduction
Vast ethnobotanical knowledge exists in India from ancient time. The
dictionary of Indian folk-medicine and ethno botany includes 2532
plants. India has about 45,000 plant species and many of them have
been studied for their medicinal properties. About 2000 figures are
available in the literature and commonly 500 species are used by
indigenous systems. Even though early (4500-1500 BC) origins and
a long history of usage in the last two centuries, the Ayurveda had
received very little official support and hence less attentions were
plants sold by street drug vendors. The statistical methods are being
used to assess the credibility of claims. A few recent works in drug
development relates to species of Commiphora (used as a
hypolipidaemic agent), Picrorhiza (which is hepatoprotective),
SOD, GPx, CAT and GST, to decrease MDA level, SGOT, SGPT
etc. Hence the review study is concluded that the herbal drug
different animal models give many links to develop the future trials.
field and drug control board. According to the United States Acute
3 References
Liver Failure Study Group, drug induced liver injury accounts for
more than 50% of acute liver failure, including hepatotoxicity caused
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Mohammadi.
persica
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Shoot
Extract
Effect
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PM, Raju
AV, Rao
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S, Chellappan
DK, Kalusalingam
Investigation
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V, Ashar
H, Srinath
S.
Antioxidant
Z, Bachar
S, Qais
of
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Ethanolic
Antioxidant
Extracts
of
4(6):462-465.
RK.
Dichrostachys
Evaluation
of
cinerea
(Wight
acute
and
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Arn.)
leaves.
Hepatoprotective activity of
Ocimum
3(1):13-18.
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3373.
54.
47. Dikshit
P, Tyagi
MK, Shukla
K, Sharma
S, Gambhir
BR, Mohanbabu
Amberkar
V, Meena
OA,
Hepatoprotective
Odunewu
effect
of
AO,
Curcuma
Farombi
longa
L.
EO.
in
D-
Kumari
M, Ravikumar
34.
49. Menon BR, Rathi MA, Thirumoorthi L, Gopalakrishnan VK.
Potential Effect of Bacopa monnieri on Nitrobenzene Induced
S, Inbaneson
SJ.
Parts
used
Solvent used
Reported active
Screening method
Underlying
constituents
(model) applied
mechanism
Melastoma
Due to
malabathricum L.
(Family;Melastomacea)
References
Flavonoids,
Leaves
Methanol
English: Indian
phenolic
components
Paracetamol-induced
liver toxicity in rats.
antioxidant
properties &
presence of
Rhododendron
flavonoids
By ameliorating
Saponins,
Fabaceae) English:
Mimosa catechu, catechu,
Heart
70%
wood
methanol
al7 (2013)
the antioxidant
tannins,
defense activity
flavonoids,
& reductively
phenols, alkaloida
cutch
Mamat SS et
Hazra B et al8
(2013)
releasing ferritin
iron
Fruits
peel
Polyphenols,
Methanol
carbohydrates,
vitamin A
3, 4-methylene
dioxymethamphetamine
(MDMA or ecstasy)
induced liver damage
By increasing the
reduced level of
blood
Glutathione
Isoniazid+rifampicin &
Significant
Moraceae) English:
paracetamol induced
increase of total
hepato toxicity
protein &
Leaves
Methanol
Flavonoids
Peepal or Pippal
reduced
Zygophyllaceae)
English: dhamasa and
Parameswari
SA et al10
(2013)
glutathione levels
By inhibiting lipid
Fagonia schweinfurthii
(Hadidi) (Fam:
al9 (2013)
(GSH)
Karami M et
Whole
plant
Ethanol
dhamasia
peroxidation &
increase in the
Pareek A et
antioxidant
al11 (2013)
enzymatic
activity
By decreasing
Rhizome
Water
English: Zinger
Flavonoids,
polyphenols
acetaminophen
Abdel-Azeem
AS et al12
(2013)
concentration
Acacia nilotica Linn
(Family; Fabaceae)
English: Gum arabic tree,
Babul, Kikar, Egyptian
thorn
Carbohydrate,
Aerial
parts
Methanol
cardiac glyco
side, saponin,
tannins
By reducing the
Acetaminophen-induced
oxidative stress
hepatic damage in
Wistar rats
Kannan N et
al13 (2013)
GSH level
Triterpenes,
(Family; Fabaceae)
flavonoids,
Ethanol-induced liver
effects against
phenolic
apoptosis in rats
caspase-3
Roots
Ethanol
thorn, locoweed
compounds
Podophyllum hexandrum
Tannins, terpe
(Family;Berberidaceae)
noids, alkaloids,
English: Himalayan
Rhizome
n-hexane
Allam RM et
al14 (2013)
activation
By increasing the
CCl4-induced
level of GSH,
hepatotoxicity in rats
nols, steroids,
apple
Ganie SA et
al15 (2013)
GST
glycosoids, and
volatil oils
flavonoids, phe
Anti-apoptotic
By enhancing
(Family;
Malvaceae) English:
Flowers
Isolated
Total Flavonoids
Sunset muskmallow,
antioxidative
enzymes, inclu
cyte damage
sunset hibiscus or
Ai G et al16
(2013)
hibiscus manihot
Terpenoids,
Origanum vulgare
(Family; Lamiaceae)
Leaves
Aqueous
By lowering the
compounds
induced hepatotoxicity in
flavanoids,
rats
Sikander M et
al17 (2013)
saponins
Otostegia persica Boiss
(Family; Lamiaceae)
English: Golder
By decreasing
Aerial
parts
Methanol
(shoot)
CCl4-induced
flavonoids
hepatotoxicity model
increasing
content of GSH
Essential oil,
Monoterpenoids,
Seeds
Methanol
flavonoids,
quercetin,
limonene
Anne's lace
Pisonia aculeate (Fam.;
Alkaloids, phen
Nyctaginaceae) English:
Leaves
Methanol
Thioacetamide induced
By decreasing in
SGPT, SGOT
liver
Nasiri
Bezenjani S et
al18 (2012)
Singh K et al19
(2012)
By reducing AST
olic compounds
Thioacetamide induced
, ALT, ALP,
Anbarasu C et
tannins, saponin
GGTP, LPO
al20 (2012)
& flavonoids
levels
Cyathea gigantean
Phenolic
(Family; Cyatheaceae)
compounds,
Paracetamol-induced
elevated SGOT,
Kiran PM et
tannins &
SGPT, ALP, TB
al21 (2012)
Leaves
Methanol
By reducing the
flavonoids
level
By inhibiting lipid
Xanthones,
Garcinia indica (Family;
Clusiaceae) English:
Kokum
flavonoids,
Fruit rind
Aqueous
benzophenones,
lactones &
phenolic acids
peroxidation &
Ethanol-induced
increase in the
Panda V et
hepatotoxicity in rats
antioxidant
al22 (2012)
enzymatic
activity
By restoring the
leaves
Ethanol
Polyphenols,
CCl4-induced liver
hepatic SOD,
flavonoids
toxicity in rats.
catalase &
Lelom pata
peroxidase level
Cissus quadrangularis
By decreasing
(Family;Vitaceae ) English:
Veldt
Grape or Devil's
Stem
Methanol
-carotene.
Rifampicin-induced
the elevated
SGOT, SGPT,
Backbone
al23 (2012)
Swamy AH et
al24 (2012)
ALP, TB level
Alkaloids,
Asparagus racemosus
Willd
Mahmud Z et
(Family;
Asparagaceae)
By preventing the
phenolic cpds,
tannins, saponi Root
Hydro-alcohol
English:Satavar,
Shatavari or Shatamull
CCl4 induced
Rutaceae) English:
Stem
wood-apple, elephant-
bark
Methanol
Flavanoid, tannin,
phenols
cells
Flavonoids,
Acharya SR et
al25 (2012)
antioxidant
Root
Ethanol
grape
By preventing
hepatic damage
and depletion of
cellular
Jain M et al26
(2012)
antioxidants
By lowering the
tannins, poly
enzymes &
enzymes
Vitaceae ) English:
raised serum
phenols, sapo
nins, cardiac
glyco sides,
rats
terpenoids,
serum levels of
SGPT, SGOT,
alkaline
Sharma SK et
al27 (2012)
phosphatase &
total bilirubin
phytosterols
Terpenoids,
cardiac glyco
Nerium oleander (Family;
Apocynaceae)
sides, tannin ,
Flower
Methanol
English: Oleander
CCl(4)-induced
By elevating level
hepatotoxicity in rats
of SOD and
flavanoids,
decreasing level
saponins,
of MDA
Singhal KG et
al28 (2012)
phenolic
Moringa oleifera Lam.
compounds
Flavonoids, ter
(Family; Moringaceae )
penoids,anthra
By lowering level
quinine, tanni n,
steroids,
saponins,
in rats
TP in liver tissue
English: Moringa,
Seed oil
Oil isolatad
Al- Said MS et
al29 (2012)
alkaloids
Alkaloids,
Alchornea cordifolia
(Family;Euphorbiaceae)
English: Christmas tree
Leaf
Methanol
flavonoids,
saponins and
tannins
By decreasing
Carbon tetra chloride-
the activities of
the serum
in rats
enzymes and
Osadebe PO
et al30 (2012)
bilirubin
UK J Pharm & Biosci, 2014: 2(1); 29
Pet Et,
Roots
bharadwaji, bankapas
chloroform,
met hanol &
aqueous
Anti-tubercular drug
Flavonoids,
By lowering the
induced hepatotoxicity in
phenolic
concentration of
rats
compounds
Samuel AJ et
al31 (2012)
ALP
By showing
decrement in
activity levels of
Murraya koenigii L.
(Family; Rutaceae)
English: Sweet neem
Leaf
Hydroethanol
Polyphenol
CCl(4) treated
hepatotoxicity in rats
alanine amino
transferase,
aspartate
Desai SN et
al32 (2012)
aminotrans
ferase, alkaline
phosphatase
By inhibiting LPO
Vitex glabrata (Family;
Verbenaceae) English:
Smooth chaste-tree
Whole
plant
Ethanol
Pentamethoxy
flavonoid
artemetin
rats
Sridevi VK et
al33 (2012)
By reducing the
Desmodium triquetrum
DC
elevated levels of
(Family;
Leaf
Ethanol
Flavonoids
Carbon tetrachloride
serum
transaminases,
in rats
alkaline
Kalyani GA et
al34 (2011)
phosphatase,
bilirubin
Fabaceae)
Leaves
Methanol
English: Butterfly-pea,
phenolic
components
Paracetamol-induced
liver toxicity in mice
By decreasing
Nithianantham
K et al35
bilirubin levels
(2011)
blue-pea
Solanum xanthocarpum
Steroidal alkaloid,
(Family; Solanaceae)
Solasonine, fatty
peroxidation
& resinous
in rats.
Fruits
Ethanol
Nightshade
By reducing lipid
substances
Gupta RK et
al36 (2011)
tissue
By reducing
Cissampelos pareira
(Family:
Menispermaceae)
English: Abuta, velvet leaf
Alkaloids,
Roots
Hydroalcohol
essential oil,
sterol, leno
elevated serum
Carbon-tetra chloride
marker enzymes
Surendran S
of AST, ALT,
et al37 (2011)
Andrographis paniculata
(Family; Acanthaceae)
English: Green chirayta
Whole
plant
Aqueous
(Family;
Apiaceae) English:
Cilantro, Chinese
Whole
plant
Aqueous
triterpenoids,
Tannins,
glycosides
albino mice
Whole
plant
Ethanol
By reducing the
elevated SGOT,
SGPT, ALP, TB
level
(2011)
By decreasing
Nagalekshmi
R et al39
albino mice
bilirubin levels
(2011)
By reducing the
phenolic
activities of
compound,
SGOT, SGPT,
flavonoids,
toxicity
Pandey A et
al40 (2011)
bilirubin
quercetin
Alkaloids, tan
nins, saponin,
Ethanol-induced Liver
By suppressing
the elevation of
rats
lipid peroxidation
phenol
Phenolic
Paracetamol induced
By reducing the
compound and
level of ALT,
flavanoids
in rats
AST, ALP
Luminetzera racemosa
Flavonoids,
Paradise, Melegueta
R et al38
isoquercetin,
Aframomum melegueta
English: Grains of
Nagalekshmi
Paracetamol induced
Alkaloids,
parsley or dhania
(Family; Zingiberaceae)
Paracetamol induced
saponins
Coriandrum sativum
(Linn.)
Tannins, steroids,
Whole
plant
Aqueous
steroids, cardi
acglycoside,
Nwozo SO et
al41 (2011)
flavonoid,
pepper
terpenoids and
Terminalia paniculata
(Family; Combretaceae)
(Family;Combretaceae)
Bark
Bark
Ethanol
Methanol
alkaloids and
polyphenols
By reducing
al42 (2011)
Gnanadesigan
CCL(4) induced
SGOT, SGPT,
M et al43
hepatotoxicity
ALP, bilirubin,
(2011)
cholesterol level
By reducing
Dichrostachys cinerea
(Family; Fabaceae)
English: Sicklebush, Bell
Eesha BR et
Flavonoids,
Leaves
Methanol
polyphenols,
tannins
elevated serum
CCL4 induced
marker enzymes
Babu PS et
hepatotoxicity
of AST, ALT,
al44 (2011)
tree
bilirubin
By normalizing
Ocimum sanctum
(Family; Lamiaceae)
English: Sacred/Holy
Basil, Green Tulsi
Volatile oil,
Leaves
Ethanol
eugenol, gallic
acid, flavonoids,
vitamin C
serum proteins,
Paracetamol- induced
albumin globulin
ratio, alkaline
rats
phosphatase,
Lahon K et al44
(2011)
transaminases
level
(Family;
Asclepiadaceae) English:
Stems
Ethanol and
aqueous
Jiwanti
By restoration
flavonoids,
tannins,
induced hepatotoxicity in
phytosterols,
rats
levels of serum
bilirubin and
Nema AK et
al45 (2011)
protein
phenolic
compounds
Flavonoids,
Apocynaceae)
tannins, terpen
English:Conkerberry
Leaves
Methanol
oids, alkaloids,
anthraquinones &
Bush
cardiac glycosides
By increasing the
activities of anti
CCl4-induced damage in
oxidant enzymes;
Sahreen S et
rat
al46 (2011)
GSH-Px, GSR,
GST and QR
Alkaloids, tannins,
Musa sapientum Linn
(Family; Musaceae)
English: Banana,
Central
stem
Aqueous
saponins,
induced hepatotoxicity in
flavonoids,
rats
glycosides
Curcuma longa L.
Alkaloids, tannins,
(Family; Zingiberaceae)
English: Turmeric
Rhizome
Aqueous
By preventing
polyph enols,
saponins,
flavonoids,
terpenoids
D-galactosamine
(GNH2) induced liver
injury in mice
Dikshit P et
increasing GSH,
al47 (2011)
SOD
Enhance hepatic
GSH
Adaramoye
OA et al48
(2010)
Bacopa monnieri
(Family; Plantaginaceae)
English: water hyssop,
brahmi, thyme-leafed
Whole
plant
Alkaloids,
Ethanol
saponins,
flavonoids
Nitrobenzene Induced
Liver Damage in Rats
By increasing in
SOD, CAT and
GPx
Menon BR et
al49 (2010)
gratiola
Flavanol
Flavan-3,4-diol
Quercetin
Pyrocatechol
Gallic acid
Phloroglucinol
Flavonoid (Flavone)
Resorcinol
Ellagic acid
Pyrogallol
Figure 1 Chemical structure of some important flavonoids and phenolic compounds exhibit hepatoprotective effect