ingredients such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and steroid-type compounds have

been determined using sophisticated analytical techniques. While the pharmaco-

logical and toxicological activities of many plant products have been tested in

animal models, their underlying mechanism of action remains unknown. In this

review, we will describe the hepatoprotective actions of the following plants and

their bioactive components: Allium sativum, Allium hirtifolium, Andrographis

paniculata, Apium graveolens, Asparagus racemosus, Berberis vulgaris,

Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Marrubium vulgare,

Nigella sativa, Phyllanthus niruri, Picrorhiza kurroa, Solanum nigrum, Swertia

chirayita, Taraxacum officinale, oleanolic acid, Cliv-92, ursolic acid, berberine,

proanthocyanidins,

naringenin,

silymarin,

andrographolide,

glycyrrhizin,

curcumin,

rhein,

geniposide

and

resveratrol.

There

are

challenges

and

opportunities for understanding the mechanism of action of the phytotherapies

used for curing liver diseases as well as discovering new drug molecules useful

for targeting different liver ailments. Combinations of traditional herbal remedies

found to be safe and effective are also suggested as a possible cost-effective

therapeutic tool to be tested in future researches aiming to unveil novel options to

treat liver disorders in humans. However, well-designed, randomized, placebo-

controlled, multicentre trials are needed to establish the long-term safety and

efficacy as well the optimal dose schedules required for treating different liver

disorders in humans.

Keywords

Liver disorders · Pathophysiology of liver diseases · Hepatotoxicity ·

Hepatoprotective medicinal plants · Drug therapy of liver diseases

Abbreviations

ALF

Acute liver failure

CLD

Chronic liver disorder

DILI

Drug-induced liver injury

e-NOS

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase

HDL

High-density lipoprotein

HMGB1

High mobility group box 1

HPS

Hepatopulmonary syndrome

HRS

Hepatorenal syndrome

ICAM-1

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1

MAT

Methionine adenosyltransferase

NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

NASH

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

NO

Nitric oxide

PPHTN

Portopulmonary hypertension

SAM

Sulfoadenosylmethionine

550

H. Singh et al.