Medicinal Plants used for treatment of Liver disorders by indigenous communities of Jammu & Kashmir, India

Liver is the largest organ inside human body and its diseases are some of the major causes of morbidity and mortality all across the globe. Traditional medicines are very important part of rural healthcare in the developing counties and may provide important clue for development of new drugs. Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), a predominantly Himalayan state in the north-western part of India is bestowed with a variety of natural resources including various important medicinal plants and is home to large numbers of indigenous communities. Aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive list ofhepatoprotective medicinal plants used by indigenous communities of J&K for treatment of liver ailments. Scientific literature on ethno-medicinal field studies conducted in J&K state of India was searched to record the hepatoprotective plants used by the indigenous communities of the region. Review of literature revealed that, a total of 103 plant species belonging to 94 genera and 52 families were used by indigenous communities of J&K to treat various liver diseases. Maximum number of species used to treat liver diseases belonged to family Asteraceae (13 spp.) followed by Apiaceae (9 spp.), Ranunculaceae (5 spp.), Lamiaceae (5 spp.), Leguminoseae (4 spp.) and Amaranthaceae (4 spp.). Whole plant (57) was used in maximum number of preparations followed by root (56), leaf (28), flower (20), fruit (19), seed (12) and stem (10). Bupleurum was the most preferred genus for treatment of liver related ailments with maximum number of four species used, whereas 2 species each of genus Delphinium, Adiantum, Iris, Viola, Berberis and Saussurea were used. Some of the listed plants have also showed antioxidant as well as hepatoprotective properties in the earlier studies. The presented information will serve as a baseline data to initiate further research for discovery of new hepatoprotective compounds from these potential plants.