Hepatoprotective Essential Oils: A Review.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepato-toxicity, induced by various toxins and molecules, poses a significant health concern.
• Natural compounds, particularly essential oils from plants, are increasingly recognized for their potential therapeutic benefits.
• Identifying effective natural agents for liver protection is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing research on the hepatoprotective effects of essential oils from different plant sources.
• To identify and classify plant species with scientifically validated hepatoprotective properties.
• To explore the chemical constituents of these essential oils and their proposed mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases.
• The review encompassed 83 articles published in English between 1981 and 2018.
• Keywords included 'hepatoprotective effect,' 'liver disease,' 'plants,' and 'essential oils.'

Main Results:

• The review identified 27 plant species from 12 families exhibiting hepatoprotective effects.
• Lamiaceae (7 species), Asteraceae (6 species), Umbellifereae (3 species), and Apiaceae (3 species) were the most represented families.
• Key compounds isolated from these essential oils, such as cineol, carvacrol, and thymol (terpenes), were associated with antioxidant activity.

Conclusions:

• Essential oils from diverse plant species demonstrate significant hepatoprotective potential.
• The antioxidant activity of these essential oils is a primary mechanism underlying their liver-protective effects.
• This review provides a valuable resource for further research into natural therapies for liver diseases.