Hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, and safety concerns: a systematic review

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#plants-medicinal #humans #animals #plant-extracts #protective-agents

Hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, and safety concerns: a systematic review

Gonfa et al., 2025 | Z Naturforsch C J Biosci | Systematic Review

Citation

Gonfa Yilma Hunde, Bachheti Archana, ... Bachheti Rakesh Kumar. Hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, and safety concerns: a systematic review. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2025-Mar-26;80(3-4):61-73. doi:10.1515/znc-2024-0116

Abstract

Medicinal plants and their derivatives represent a promising reservoir of remedies for various ailments. Especially secondary metabolites of these plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, and anthraquinones, play crucial roles in hepatoprotection. Studies have identified several prominent phytoconstituents, such as silymarin, quercetin, luteolin, glycyrrhizin, curcumin, gallic acid, chebulic acid, catechin, aloin, emodin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, cudraflavone B, and karaviloside, as effective agents for addressing hepatotoxicity. The mechanisms underlying their efficacy include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, and the ability to block oxidative stress, cytokine production, and stabilize liver cell membranes. The application of natural products derived from medicinal plants in treating liver injuries is rooted in their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety profile, contributing to their popularity. Many studies, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, and clinical investigations, have demonstrated that the extracts of medicinal plants mitigate chemical-induced liver damage using animal models. However, intensive research efforts regarding the safety, regulatory standard, and quality control issues for using medicinal plants as hepatoprotective agents remain the strong task of scholars. The primary focus of this systematic review is to analyze the current state of the literature regarding treating liver ailments using extracts from medicinal plants, examining their phytochemical composition, and addressing associated safety considerations.

Key Findings

The primary focus of this systematic review is to analyze the current state of the literature regarding treating liver ailments using extracts from medicinal plants, examining their phytochemical composition, and addressing associated safety considerations.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Humans
  • Animals
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Liver
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
  • Phytochemicals
  • Antioxidants

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09