Hepatoprotectors - drugs for the protection of the liver

Today hepatoprotectors are widely used in the treatment of liver diseases - drugs aimed at restoring and protecting it.

Classification of funds

Modern hepatoprotectors do not have a single classification, mainly they include:

• Herbal preparations;
• Preparations of animal origin;
• Phospholipids;
• Amino acids;
• Vitamins;
• Other substances.

All these drugs should increase the functional activity and stimulate the liver's regenerative properties. R. Preisig formulated the requirements that an ideal hepatoprotector should meet:

• Good absorption;
• Mandatory "passage" through the liver;
• The ability to communicate with damaging compounds;
• Anti-inflammatory effect;
• Suspension of fibrogenesis;
• Stimulation of regenerative processes;
• Absence of toxicity.

Unfortunately, none of the existing medicines does not have all these properties at once.

Hepatoprotectors, herbal preparations

Most of the drugs in this group have a spotted milk thistle, which is valued because of the flavonoid silymarin. This substance helps restore damaged membranes of hepatocytes (liver cells). Drugs based on milk thistle (funds "Karsil", "Legalon") are prescribed for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and toxic liver damage. And the drug "Hepatofalk-planta", in addition, contains an extract of tuerik and celandine, due to these components the drug has a cholagogue, anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic effect.

Hepatoprotectors of plant origin are also produced on the basis of artichoke (preparations "Hofitol", "Catergen") and pumpkin seeds ("Tykveol"). It is believed that the flavonoids of these drugs have the same properties as the milk thistle. Artichoke extract lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, stimulates the production of enzymes and has a choleretic effect.

The drug "LIV-52" contains extracts of capers, chicory, nightshade, barley, yarrow and tumaric. It has an antioxidant effect and restores the membranes of hepatocytes, but it was noted that taking this medication can increase inflammation, so it should be taken only during remission or as prevention.

Hepatoprotectors, preparations of animal origin

This group includes medicines based on the hydrolyzate of the liver of cattle (Sirepar). The mechanism of action of these substances has not yet been fully studied, but it is known that they have an antioxidant and regenerative effect on hepatocytes upon ingestion. Perhaps this is due to the amino acids and growth factors present in the hydrolyzate.

The drug "Hepatosan" is created on the basis of dried liver cells of animals.

Hepatoprotectors, preparations based on essential phospholipids

The liver cell membrane consists of phospholipids (preparations "Essentiale N", "Eplir", "Phosphogliv"). Their active ingredient is phosphatidylcholine, which is not synthesized by the human body, so it is advisable to prescribe drugs with the content of these substances in toxic liver damage, as well as to protect it from the effects of drugs. Phospholipids can be incorporated into damaged membranes of hepatocytes.

Study of the properties of hepatoprotectors

Until now, no large clinical studies have been conducted on the study of these drugs, some of the work in this area indicates an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulating property of plant remedies for liver protection, and according to some indicators, the results of different studies have conflicting or contrary data. Disputes about the advisability of hepatoprotective therapy are still going on.