Effects of Medicinal Plants on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury: A Review

Abstract

The liver is the primary organ for metabolizing and eliminating foreign chemicals. When liver cells are exposed to large concentrations of dangerous substances, hepatocyte malfunction, membrane damage, and degradation may occur. Another chemical that can harm the liver is carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). CCl4 is converted into trichloromethyl radical [CCl3]- by several cytochrome P450 isoforms. [CCl3]- subsequently reacts with oxygen to generate trichloromethyl peroxyl radical [CCl3OO]- and induce lipid peroxidation in cell membranes. In this study, the mechanism by which a variety of recently identified medicinal plants display hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced liver injury is investigated. We find that animal models have been used in investigations of plant extracts. Herbal plants largely protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity because their phytochemicals have an inhibitory nature. The antioxidant properties of phytochemicals can halt lipid oxidation and restrict the production of free radicals by inhibiting microsomal enzymes. They can also help liver cells in their fight against CCl4-induced inflammation by strengthening and fortifying them. The effectiveness of various herbs that are hepatoprotective and are thus plausible candidates for use in medicine must be confirmed. Experiments using entire plant extracts should be replaced with tests that pinpoint the active ingredients and assess the extracts’ effect on a variety of liver cell lines.