Recent insights into the hepatoprotective potential of medicinal plants and plant‐derived compounds

Abstract

Liver problems are a worldwide concern, and conventional medicinal therapies are ineffective. Hence, safeguarding the healthy liver is vital for good health and well‐being. Infections due to virus, immune problems, cancer, alcohol abuse, and an overdose of drugs are some of the causes of liver diseases. Antioxidants derived from medicinal plants and conventional dietary sources can protect the liver from damages caused by oxidative stress system and various chemicals. Plants and plant‐derived phytochemicals are appealing hepatoprotective agents since they have less side effects and still there is a lot of interest shown in using herbal tonics for treating liver disorders. This review therefore primarily focuses on newly discovered medicinal plants and compounds produced from plants that fall under the classifications of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenolics, sterols, anthocyanins, and saponin glycosides, all of which have the potential to be hepatoprotective. Hosta plantaginea, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Daniella oliveri, Garcinia mangostana, Solanum melongena, Vaccinium myrtillus, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Citrus medica are some potential plants having hepatoprotective effects. We conclude that these phytochemicals and the plant extracts listed above are used in the future to treat a variety of liver diseases, additional research is still needed to develop safer and more potent phytochemical drugs.

Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Silybum marianum Seed Extract Rich in Silydianin and Silychristin in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

“…In addition, SMEE exhibited preventive effects against weight gain in the preventive group and therapeutic effects on lowering weight in the therapeutic group. Weight management is a crucial aspect of MetS, and similar effects have been reported for silymarin in preventing obesity-related issues . Furthermore, the blood pressure-lowering effects of SMEE align with the potential cardiovascular benefits of silymarin constituents, which have been reported in studies investigating its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties …”

“…Weight management is a crucial aspect of MetS, and similar effects have been reported for silymarin in preventing obesity-related issues. 50 Furthermore, the blood pressurelowering effects of SMEE align with the potential cardiovascular benefits of silymarin constituents, which have been reported in studies investigating its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. 50 Silymarin, the main extract of S. marianum, has been extensively investigated in the literature as documented in recent reviews.…”

“…50 Furthermore, the blood pressurelowering effects of SMEE align with the potential cardiovascular benefits of silymarin constituents, which have been reported in studies investigating its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. 50 Silymarin, the main extract of S. marianum, has been extensively investigated in the literature as documented in recent reviews. 51−54 However, these studies mainly focused on silybin, the main component of silymarin, ignoring the effect of other constituents.…”

“…58 On the other hand, they may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes that help mitigate inflammation in MetS; 59,60 at the same time, they may affect lipid metabolism and help reduce LDL cholesterol and TG levels. 50 However, this study highlights the multifaceted therapeutic potential of S. marianum, and more research and clinical trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of SMEE. Additionally, it confirms that not only silybin but also other silymarin constituents such as silydianin and silychristin should be further investigated and could be key players in the pharmacological activities of silymarin and other S. marianum extracts.…”

“…Probably, their expected antioxidant properties help to neutralize harmful free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, enhance insulin sensitivity, and protect against metabolic abnormalities . On the other hand, they may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes that help mitigate inflammation in MetS; , at the same time, they may affect lipid metabolism and help reduce LDL cholesterol and TG levels …”