Publications

The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, metabolism, and the regulation of numerous physiological processes, yet it is highly susceptible to damage from toxins, drugs, and oxidative stress. Conventional therapies for hepatic diseases remain limited, expensive, and often associated with adverse effects, thereby stimulating interest in medicinal plants as alternative hepatoprotective agents. This narrative review synthesizes ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and experimental evidence on widely used hepatoprotective plants such as Silybum marianum, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Cynara scolymus, and Taraxacum officinale. Their bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, and alkaloids, demonstrate mechanisms of action such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of hepatic fibrosis, stimulation of liver regeneration, and modulation of xenobiotic metabolism. Preclinical studies confirm significant protective effects against hepatotoxins, while limited clinical trials suggest tolerable safety profiles. Despite their promise, challenges remain regarding toxicity, herb–drug interactions, standardization, and regulatory frameworks. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of hepatoprotective medicinal plants as cost-effective alternatives and a source of novel compounds, underscoring the need for rigorous clinical validation, safety profiling, and integration into evidence-based hepatology.