HERBAL DRUGS – AN APPROACH FOR THE TREATMENT OF LIVER DISORDERS
AbstractThe liver is an amazingly complex organ which virtually affects every physiological process of the body. The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and has more function than any other organs. Hepatic disorders which stem from a stressful lifestyle, inappropriate eating habits, and lack of exercise have become one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in human being. The acute hepatic symptoms may be cured by some general prevention such as avoidance of constipation and balance between intake quantity of protein and disaccharides in normal food. An alternative and progressively increasing adaptation is the use of herbal extracts. Many of the plant-based drugs show an effective response to managing the hepatotoxicity and secondary symptoms of liver damage. While, the models used for conventional hepatotoxicity evaluation are still outdated, in the present review we have attempted to provide updated information of the molecular pathogenesis and aspects for the role of herbal pharmacotherapy in the alleviation of hepatic ailments. Furthermore, we have attempted to summarize the critical findings on hepatoprotective herbs over the last 20 years.