Abstract

VALUE OF SIDDHA MEDICINAL PLANTS AND ITS FORMULATIONS AS HEPATOPROTECTIVE AGENTS - A REVIEW

M. Ramani* and S.Vidhya

ABSTRACT

Liver is the largest gland and one of the vital organs of the body. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and vitamins and many of hormones is carried out in liver. It excretes cholesterol, bile pigments, heavy metals, toxins, bacteria. Liver also involved in removal of toxic property of harmful agent, it is called as detoxification. Liver diseases are a major problem of worldwide proportions and liver damage is very common since liver has the capacity to detoxicate toxic substances. Some chemicals have been known to induce hepato toxicity. Carbon tetrachloride, Galactosamine, Thioacetamide, antitubercular drugs and Paracetamol, arsenic etc… In the absence of dependable hepato protective drugs in modern medicine, there are number of medicinal plants and its preparations in Siddha recommended for the treatment of liver disorders. Herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time so the maintenance of a healthy liver is essential for the overall well being of an individual. The present review is aimed at the collection of data on easily available Siddha medicinal plants and herbal formulations that have been tested in hepatotoxicity models using modern scientific system.

Keywords: Hepato protective, Hepatotoxicity, Siddha herbal drugs.