Phytochemicals in the Prevention of Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption exerts detrimental effects on the body and impairs the structure and functions of vital organs. Liver, the largest organ of the body and the metabolic factory, is one of the highly affected organs of alcohol toxicity. Scientific studies carried out in the recent past have shown that phytochemicals such as beta carotene, betaine, curcumin, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ferulic acid, hydroxystilbenes, lutein, morin, meso-zeaxanthin, quercetin, ursolic acid, andrographolide, arabinogalactan, silibinin, silipide, and siliphos offer hepatoprotection by mitigating the toxic effects of alcohol on hepatic metabolism. Mechanistic studies have shown that the beneficial effects of these phytochemicals in preventing the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity is mediated by the antioxidant, free radical scavenging, antiinflammatory, antifibrotic, antimutagenic, and lipotropic effects. The present review collates the hepatoprotective effects of the phytochemicals and the mechanisms responsible for the protective effects.