Herbs as liver savers- A review

Herbal medicines are in great demand in the developed world for primary health care due their efficacy, safety and lesser side effects. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to utilize eco-friendly and bio-friendly plant-based products. The current availability of high-tech methods allows researchers to optimize the effectiveness, standardization and clinical testing of these herbs to meet international standards. A wide group of medicinal plants and preparations had been used over centuries almost exclusively as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, etc. In addition, numerous plants and polyherbal formulations are used in treatment of liver related disorders. However, for developing satisfactory herbal combinations to treat liver diseases plants needs to be evaluated systematically for its potency as antiviral, antihepatotoxicity, antioxidants, stimulation of hepatocytes regeneration and choleretic activity. Development and scientific studies have validated such herbal medicines or combinations confirming the biological efficacy and safety which revitalize treatment of liver disorders. The present review is systematically conducted to overview the plants like Andrographis paniculata Nees., Eclipta alba Hassk., Lawsonia alba Lam., Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., and Silybum marianum Linn., proved as hepatoprotective and used as the ingredients of liver protection drugs in the last few decades. Nevertheless, much additional work is needed to open up new biomedical application of these plants.