Herbal Drugs on the Liver

Abstract Herbal drugs have a long tradition in India, China, and Japan. There are numerous plants and traditional formulations available for the treatment of liver diseases. However, only a small proportion of them are pharmacologically evaluated for their safety and efficacy. Some herbal preparations exist as standardized extracts or as polyherbal formulations. These polyherbal formulations are sold as tonics with a wide range of indications such as protective to liver, appetite stimulant and growth promoters, gastrointestinal and hepatic regulator, as treatment for hepatic dysfunction, hepatic regeneration, as well as liver tonic and stimulant. Silymarin, picroliv, ellagic acid, curcumin, andrographolide, and glycyrrhizin are some of the biologically active molecules obtained from plants, which can serve as suitable primary compounds for effective and targeted hepatoprotective drugs. It may also be possible to combine hepatoprotective herbals to achieve the desired antioxidant, antifibrotic, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antiinflammatory actions. These drugs will promote hepatic regeneration, prevent degeneration, or necrosis of liver cells caused by drugs, toxins, and viral agents, and will improve the biliary functions. Further, the use of derivatives may improve the bioavailability, stability, and efficacy of these active molecules.