Hepatoproteetive Activity of Selected Bangladeshi Medicinal Plants and Their Isolated Compounds

Abstract

The scientific basis for the assertion that plants and their active compounds play a promising role in disease prevention is continuously advancing. The present review aims to compile data on promising medicinal plants of Bangladesh that have been tested in hepatotoxicity models using modern scientific methods, along with their chemical constituents possessing hepatoprotective potential. Six plants, namely Alocasia indica (Mankachu), Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), Eclipta alba (Bhringraj/Kalokeshi), Elephantopus scaber (Gojialata), Ipomoea aquatica (Kolmi Shak), and Wedelia chinensis (Keshraj), have been identified as having the highest hepatoprotective activity reported in the published literature. Terpenoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids are the major classes of compounds with reported hepatoprotective activity found in these plants. Thus, this review summarizes contemporary research on Bangladeshi medicinal plants, focusing on their hepatoprotective activity, and provides a platform for future research endeavors in this field.