Herbal medicine for the treatment of liver diseases: a review of evidence and concerns

Dr. Pham Ngoc Khanh¹, Dr. Katarina Bauerova², Assoc. Prof., Dr. Phan Tuy³ – ¹Institute of Natural Products Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; ²Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; ³HoaBinh University

Abstract:

Liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, are a major global public health problem.Natural products have long been investigated as a source for discovering new drug candidates totreat various liver diseases, including hepatitis, inflammation, and cirrhosis. Herbal products andtheir essential ingredients have been found to be useful means for the treatment of liver diseases.This review examines the evidence from case reports on the effectiveness of natural herbal productsin treating liver diseases and protecting the liver. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)pathway has been identified as a key molecular pathway in the development of liver fibrosis andcirrhosis, and several herbal medicines have been found to target this pathway. However, concernsremain regarding the effectiveness and potential side effects of these herbal products. Thus, furtherresearch is needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines in treatingliver diseases.

Xem file

Keywords: Herbal medicine, the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) pathway, liver diseases,inflammation, and cirrhosis