Herbal medicines for liver diseases in India

Abstract

The use of natural remedies for the treatment of liver diseases has a long history, starting with the Ayurvedhic treatment, and extending to the Chinese, European and other systems of traditional medicines. The 21st century has seen a paradigm shift towards therapeutic evaluation of herbal products in liver diseases by carefully synergizing the strengths of the traditional systems of medicine with that of the modern concept of evidence-based medicinal evaluation, standardization of herbal products and randomized placebo controlled clinical trials to support clinical efficacy. The present review provides the status report on the scientific approaches made to herbal preparations used in Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of liver diseases. In spite of the availability of more than 300 preparations for the treatment of jaundice and chronic liver diseases in Indian systems of medicine using more than 87 Indian medicinal plants, only four terrestrial plants have been scientifically elucidated while adhering to the internationally acceptable scientific protocols. In-depth studies have proved Sylibum marianum to be anti-oxidative, antilipidperoxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and liver regenerative. Glycyrrhiza glabra has been shown to be hepatoprotective and capable of inducing an indigenous interferon. Picrorhiza kurroa is proved to be anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory. Extensive studies on Phyllanthus amarus have confirmed this plant preparation as being anti-viral against hepatitis B and C viruses, hepatoprotective and immunomodulating, as well as possessing anti-inflammatory properties. For the first time in the Indian systems of medicine, a chemo-biological fingerprinting methodology for standardization of P. amarus preparation has been patented.

Structure-dependent activity of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives as peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ agonists in colon cancer cells

“…Melting points were determined with a Kofler hotstage apparatus. 1 H NMR spectra were run in CDCl 3 on a Bruker Avance-400 spectrometer using Me 4 Si as an internal standard. For analytic and preparative use, TLC plates were spread with Silica Gel 60 GF (Merck).…”

Food Supplement for Therapy of HCV

“…Thyagarajan et al [41], proved that Milk Thistle act as anti-oxidative, antilipidperoxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and liver regenerative. Extensive studies on Phyllanthus A confirmed that this plant being anti-viral against HBV and HVC, hepatoprotective and immunomodulator, and antiinflammatory properties.…”

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection: A Review on Necessity of Dietary Compounds for Antiretroviral Therapy

“…Chinese herbs are Yinchen, Huanggi, and Gancho with pluak rak mon (part of the mulberry root) and Dok kham foi (extracted from safflowers) [33]. Silybim marianum (milk thistle), Glycyrrhiza glabra, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Phyllanthus amarus are confirmed as safe and hepatoprotective herbals used for repairing liver function, [55]. Orange juice is considered as a rich dietary source of antioxidants for patients with hepatitis C under antiviral therapy [56].…”