A review on Hepatoprotective activity

Liver is one of the largest and most vital organs in human body and the chief site for intense metabolism and excretion. It has a surprising role in the maintenance, performance and regulating homeostasis of the body. It is involved with almost all the biochemical pathways to growth, fight against disease, nutrient supply, energy provision and reproduction. The major functions of the liver are carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, detoxification, secretion of bile and storage of vitamin. Thus, to maintain a healthy liver is a crucial factor for overall health and well-being. But when it is continuously and variedly exposed to environmental toxins, chemicals like CCl4, drug habits, alcohol, infections and autoimmune disorders, prescribed (antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents) cum over-the-counter drugs can eventually lead to various liver ailments like hepatitis, cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease. These conditions can be cured with hepatoprotective agents. Both in vitro and in vivo liver models have been developed in the past years to study the hepatoprotective agents. These Systems measures the ability of the test drugs to prevent or cure liver toxicity (induced by various hepatotoxins) in experimental animals.