Role of Herbal Remedies in liver Fibrosis: What is the Evidence?

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a disease that is created due to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen. Advanced liver fibrosis leads to cirrhosis and eventually to liver cancer which are irreversible conditions. Hence, attention to initial stages of disease and its treatment has a vital role in these patients. Synthetic drugs utilized to remedy liver diseases often have side effects and thus, treatment method should be changed to alternative medicines, especially herbal remedies or their derivatives. Today alternative medicine has gained special attention, because of their lasting term curative power and poor side effects. In this review, we explained some plant-derived compounds which play an effective role in healing of liver injuries. We also somewhat mentioned the mechanism of action of these components. Future works should focus on the molecular pathways these compounds in order to determine the potential applications of these medicines.

Keywords

•  alternative medicine
• herbal remedies
• liver fibrosis