Phytotherapy: An anti-hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective approach in chemotherapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy induced-hepatotoxicity is one of the prevalent problems among cancer patients, with a wide spectrum of complications from liver dysfunction to liver necrosis. Therefore, in this study, we review the research findings on the effects of medicinal herbs and herbal compounds on the hepatotoxicity induced by anticancer drugs. The words hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective along with the words cancer drug or chemotherapy in combination with some herbal terms such as medicinal plant, phyto* and herb* were used to search for relevant publications indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and PubMed. Available evidence shows that certain medicinal plants and herbal derivatives can reduce cancer drug-induced hepatotoxicity and protect liver cells against complications by regulating hepatic enzymes and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. Some herbal formulations, including traditional Chinese medicine, have also been reported to exhibit such effects. Medicinal plants can exert anti-hepatotoxicity effects mainly by increasing antioxidant activity, inhibiting inflammatory processes, and reducing cell necrosis induced by anti-cancer drugs. Phytotherapy can be used as an effective complementary treatment for anticancer drug-induced hepatotoxicity and prevent various complications in the liver.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants With Antianxiety and Antidepressant Effects in Shahrekord

“…Today, although a large proportion of the drugs used are chemical, it is estimated that at least one third of all medicinal products are plant-based, or are transformed after isolation from the plant. This drug source is used in the treatment of various diseases [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. People have constantly been thinking of using medicinal plants to heal their illnesses and relieve their pain.…”

Ethno-botanical study of sedative medicinal plants in Shahrekord

“…Some natural available substances can be somewhat soothing, one of which is medicinal plants. Medicinal plants have long been used as a usable and available drug source to human for the prevention, control and treatment of various types of their diseases such as digestive, genitourinary, neurological, infectious and non-infectious [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Since ancient times, the presence in the nature and the inhaling of the aromatic air due to plants have been known as relaxing activities.…”

Analgesic Medicinal Plants in Shahrekord, Southwest of Iran: An Ethnobotanical Study

“…Over the past decade, interest in various types of complementary medicine and herbal medicine has been increasing around the world [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive ingredients that are used to treat various diseases [20][21][22][23][24], including mental disorders such as anxiety, stress, depression, and various types of pains like headache, migraine, and toothache [23][24][25]. One of the controversial issues regarding medicinal plants is local knowledge.…”