Herbal hepatotoxicity: A review on phytochemical induced liver injury

Abstract

Liver plays a key role in the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics which makes it highly susceptible to their adverse and toxic effects. Drugs of synthetic origin are found to be major reason of liver toxicity but some herbs also contributes in same fashion. Various herbal medicines with a history of efficacy are effectively used by humans. However, owing to the presence of different phytoconstituents, which are found to be hepatotoxic, it is needed to focus on such phytochemicals. This review emphasizes some crucial aspects of phytoconstituents that produces hepatotoxicity and possible mechanism responsible for it.