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the detrimental effects of environmental or chemical toxic Major constituents of milk thistle are the flavonoids, such as
compounds and prevent multiple hepatic disorders in silibinin, silidianin, silichristin, and isosilibinin. Silymarin
[14]
humans. [6] showed antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective
activity, through inhibition of lipid peroxidation, depletion
POLYPHENOLS of liver GSH, inhibition of genotoxicity, and enhancement of
hepatogenesis. [15]
Polyphenols, commonly presented in vegetables, herbs,
seeds, fruits, and other natural sources, represent more than Glycyrrhizin, the active constituent obtained from aqueous
8,000 different compounds, classified in different classes extraction of the liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has
based on their chemical structure, they are composed of at been used in traditional medicine to alleviate bronchitis,
least one aromatic ring with one or more hydroxyl groups gastritis, and jaundice. The major constituents of licorice
[7]
attached. Polyphenols may be a promising candidate for are glycyrrhetic acid, flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins, and
preventing ethanol-induced liver injury through regulating beta-sitosterol. The latter is likely possessing glucocorticoid
alcohol metabolic enzymes in a cyclic AMP-dependent manner, and mineralocorticoid properties. [16] Licorice and their
polyphenols play a crucial role in the protection of liver products have been reported to be useful in the treatment
against hepatitis due to its potential activity in the reduction of human hepatitis, animal inducible hepatocarcinogenesis,
of early proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α and attenuating titanium dioxide nanoparticles-induced
and interleukin (IL)-1β], activation of anti-inflammatory IL-10, hepatotoxicity. [17,18]
and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of
nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in hepatocytes. Polyphenols Ginseng (Panax ginseng), a valued Chinese and Korean
[8]
are composed of two formulas; phenolic acids and flavonoids traditional medicinal herb, has been clinically used in China
and account for 60% and 30%, respectively, of dietary for thousands of years. Red ginseng elicits a protection against
polyphenols. [9] aflatoxin B and fumonisins-induced hepatic pre-cancerous
1
lesions in rats and synergistic action with honey against
Phenolic compounds (PhCs), which are ubiquitously found CCl -induced hepatonephrotoxicity. [19,20]
4
in plants, have a potent antioxidant activity mainly due
to their ability in redox reactions, so they act as reducing Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown antioxidant property
agents, singlet oxygen quenchers, hydrogen donators, and due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibition of
chelating agents of metal ions. Moreover, previous studies lipid peroxidation. The most recent discovered G. biloba
[21]
[10]
revealed that PhCs played an important role in the prevention components are polyphenols from which flavonoids and
of hepatotoxicity through increase in the level of reduced terpene lactones were derived and widely used for treating
glutathione (GSH). [11] cardiovascular, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and cerebrovascular
diseases. [22-24]
Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds, different
in chemical structure and characteristics, naturally founded in Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), dandelion water extract
plants. More than 9,000 different flavonoid compounds were (DWE), a herbal medication, may have an effect on the
described in plants till now and they play major biological activity of messenger RNA expression of hepatic antioxidant
roles through affecting several developmental and important enzymes due to its components that includes sesquiterpene
processes. lactones, phenylpropanoids, triterpenoid saponins, and
modify lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in
Flavonoids showed versatile health benefits such as rats. [25-27] It has been reported that DWE has anti-fibrotic
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative and effect through inactivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)
anticancer activity, free radical scavenging activity, and and the enhancement of hepatic regenerative capabilities. [28]
[12]
antihypertensive effects. It has been reported that one of
the flavonoid compounds luteolin showed a hepatoprotective Garlic (Allium sativum) has been widely used as a foodstuff
effect and antioxidant properties against methanol and a traditional medicine for many centuries throughout
hepatotoxicity. [13] the world. Garlic is available in different forms such as
powder or garlic oil. Garlic has a beneficial value such
HERBAL AGENTS as anti-atherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial,
anticancer, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and
[29]
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is one of the most famous herbal radioprotector effects. On the other hand, allicin (diallyl
agents used to treat liver diseases since the 16th century. thiosulfonate), which is the main biologically active

112 Hepatoma Research | Volume 1 | Issue 3 | October 15, 2015