Exploring the Hepatoprotective Potential of Clitoria ternatea L.: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Hepatic inflammation is a major contributor for the progression of liver disease including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis,fibrosis,cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer.Under hepatic inflammation, the inflammatory response plays a central role in hepatocyte injury due to oxidative stresss and chronic inflammatory responses.highlighting the need for effective therapeutic approaches.Clitoria ternatea L.(butterfly pea), a medicinalth plant known for its ornamental beauty and medicinal value had been recently gaining increasing interest towards its diverse phytochemical constituents showing pharmacological properties. This review summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and most importantly how Clitoria ternatea could be a potentiual therapeutic drug with emphasis on its role of management of hepatic inflammationThe plant is rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and cyclotides, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Experimental studies have demonstrated that Clitoria ternatea extracts reduce oxidative stress, improve liver function biomarkers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin, and restore normal liver histopathology in various animal models of hepatotoxicity. Despite these promising findings, current evidence is largely limited to preclinical studies, with insufficient clinical data to confirm efficacy and safety in humans. Future research should focus on standardized herbal formulations, well-designed clinical trials, and advanced drug delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of Clitoria ternatea in the management of hepatic inflammation.