Hepatoprotective Models and Various Natural Product Used in Hepatoprotective Agents: a Review

Abstract

Liver is the largest and most vital organ of the body. It is also called as metabolic ‘engine room’ of the body. Most of the drugs, food and water constituents get metabolized and detoxified in liver. A variety of liver disease such hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer etc caused by the many of chemicals, foods, drugs and infections parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral because of variations in liver dysfunction and difficulties encountered in reaching to a proper diagnosis , unfortunately a physician is unable to provide proper treatment. Major functions of the liver include carbohydrate, protein, fat metabolism, detoxification, secretion of bile, storage as well as detoxification of several drugs and xenobiotics occur in the liver itself. The hepatic reticuloendothelial system clears activated clotting factors, proteolytic enzyme/inhibitor complexes, and fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products. Among all the disorders liver diseases are the most serious. These can be classified as acute or chronic hepatitis (inflammatory liver diseases), hepatosis (non-inflammatory liver diseases) and cirrhosis (degenerative disorder) cause fibrosis of the liver. Toxic chemicals such as certain antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, peroxidised oil, aflatoxin, carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc are responsible for liver diseases. Others are excess consumption of alcohol and auto-immune disorders.[1-4] Liver microsomal metabolism of ethanol may result in hepatitis and cirrhosis due to enhanced lipid peroxidation. It has been found that viruses are responsible for 90% acute hepatitis.[3] Conventional medicines are now pursuing the use of natural products such as herbs to provide the support that liver needs on a daily basis.[5]