The protective effect of flavonoids against carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ )-induced hepatotoxicity

The liver is a remarkably stable auxiliary gland of the digestive system and a vital organ involved in numerous metabolic processes. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄ ) is a potent hepatotoxicant. It is well known that the conversion of CCl ₄ to the highly reactive trichloromethyl (CCI ₃ •) radical, which initiates the lipid peroxidation process, causes liver damage. This review critically summarizes in vitro and in vivo evidence on the hepatoprotective effects of plant-derived flavonoids against CCl ₄ -induced liver damage and identifies promising therapeutic candidates and future research priorities. Numerous studies on flavonoids have demonstrated their ability to mitigate CCl ₄ -induced hepatotoxicity via multiple pathways. Plant-derived flavonoids represent a promising hepatoprotective agent. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making them crucial for the development and treatment of pathological diseases. This study found that flavonoids are a potentially useful agent for hepatoprotection and that daily consumption of natural flavonoids plays a significant role in preventing diseases, particularly in liver damage. More accurate, dose-dependent clinical trials are still needed to treat hepatotoxicity safely with flavonoids.