Abstract

A REVIEW: HERBAL MEDICINES AND SCREENING MODELS FOR HEPATOPROTECTIVE AGENTS

Pratiksha Kothari*, Ashvini Andhale and Santosh Waghmare

Abstract

Liver is the largest gland present in human body. The function of this vital organ includes storage of glycogen, vitamins and minerals, enzyme activation, metabolism of carbohydrate, proteins and detoxification as well as purification process. Liver regulates chemical levels in blood and forms excretory material that is bile. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestine passes through liver. Chronic alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic chemicals like paracetamol, tetracycline, anti-TB drugs, NSAIDS, chemotherapeutic agents damage the hepatocytes. Liver diseases are major health and challenging to health care professions and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore there is need to study the hepatoprotective agents. Modern medicine have provided many medicaments that cure liver diseases but compared to this herbal medicine is preferred due to its cost effectiveness as well as minimal side effects and safe approach. The aim of this review is compiling information of different medicinal plants with their hepatoprotective activity on various models of hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Liver, Hepatotoxic agents, Medicinal herbs as hepatoprotective agents, Screening models.