title: A review of hepatoprotective plants used in saudi traditional medicine.
abstract: Liver disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. According to WHO estimates, about 500 million people are living with chronic hepatitis infections resulting in the death of over one million people annually. Medicinal plants serve as a vital source of potentially useful new compounds for the development of effective therapy to combat liver problems. Moreover herbal products have the advantage of better affordability and acceptability, better compatibility with the human body, and minimal side effects and is easier to store. In this review attempt has been made to summarize the scientific data published on hepatoprotective plants used in Saudi Arabian traditional medicine. The information includes medicinal uses of the plants, distribution in Saudi Arabia, ethnopharmacological profile, possible mechanism of action, chemical constituents, and toxicity data. Comprehensive scientific studies on safety and efficacy of these plants can revitalise the treatment of liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Al-Asmari
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Elaiwi
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Md Tanwir
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Athar
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Eid
authors.affiliation: Department of FCM, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897 (775s), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saeed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Asmary