A Comprehensive Review: Herbal Medicines for Liver Diseases and Hepatitis

Abstract

Liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis,
liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality
worldwide. Despite advances in modern medicine, current therapeutic options remain limited due to adverse
effects, high treatment costs, and inadequate long-term efficacy. Consequently, herbal medicines and natural
products have emerged as promising complementary therapies owing to their diverse pharmacological properties
and favourable safety profiles. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and their
bioactive phytochemicals in the prevention and management of liver diseases. Numerous medicinal plants,
including Silybum marianum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Phyllanthus niruri, Andrographis paniculata,
and Tinospora cordifolia, have demonstrated significant hepatoprotective effects in both experimental and clinical
studies. Their beneficial actions are primarily attributed to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifibrotic,
immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities. These natural products exert hepatoprotective effects through
multiple mechanisms, including the reduction of oxidative stress, inhibition of inflammatory signalling pathways,
regulation of lipid metabolism, suppression of hepatic fibrosis, promotion of liver regeneration, and inhibition of
viral replication. Although substantial preclinical evidence supports their efficacy, clinical translation remains
challenging due to issues related to standardization, quality control, dosage optimization, bioavailability, and longterm safety. Further well-designed randomized clinical trials are essential to validate their therapeutic
effectiveness and establish evidence-based recommendations for their clinical use. Overall, herbal natural
products represent a promising and cost-effective complementary approach for the prevention and management
of liver diseases and may contribute to the development of safer and more effective hepatoprotective therapies.