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Hepatoprotective Potential of Nutraceuticals with Special Reference to Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Clinical Studies
Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences · Area of research: Hepatoprotective Potential of Nutraceuticals
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1718194
Abstract
Liver diseases remain a major global health concern due to increasing exposure to drugs, environmental toxins, alcohol, metabolic disorders, and viral infections. Hepatic injury is often mediated through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. Despite the availability of synthetic hepatoprotective agents, their long-term use is frequently associated with adverse effects, limited efficacy, and high cost. Consequently, there has been growing interest in nutraceuticals and plant-based interventions as safer alternatives for liver protection and regeneration. Among these, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) have attracted significant scientific attention due to their rich phytochemical composition and potent antioxidant properties. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated their ability to mitigate liver damage induced by chemical toxins, drugs, and metabolic stress. This review critically compiles and analyzes published literature on the hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina and Alfalfa. Emphasis is placed on experimental models of hepatotoxicity, underlying mechanisms of action, biochemical and histopathological outcomes, and comparative evaluation of findings reported by different researchers. The review also highlights limitations of existing studies, clinical relevance, and future research perspectives, thereby providing a consolidated scientific understanding of these nutraceuticals in liver disease management.
Keywords
Hepatoprotection, Spirulina, Alfalfa, Oxidative stress, Liver injury, Nutraceuticals
How to cite this paper
@article{1718194,
author = {Shivangi Rai, Prashant Kumar Singh, Debabrata Lahiry},
title = {Hepatoprotective Potential of Nutraceuticals with Special Reference to Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Clinical Studies},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {11},
pages = {3291-3295},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1718194.pdf},
abstract = {Liver diseases remain a major global health concern due to increasing exposure to drugs, environmental toxins, alcohol, metabolic disorders, and viral infections. Hepatic injury is often mediated through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. Despite the availability of synthetic hepatoprotective agents, their long-term use is frequently associated with adverse effects, limited efficacy, and high cost. Consequently, there has been growing interest in nutraceuticals and plant-based interventions as safer alternatives for liver protection and regeneration. Among these, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) have attracted significant scientific attention due to their rich phytochemical composition and potent antioxidant properties. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated their ability to mitigate liver damage induced by chemical toxins, drugs, and metabolic stress. This review critically compiles and analyzes published literature on the hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina and Alfalfa. Emphasis is placed on experimental models of hepatotoxicity, underlying mechanisms of action, biochemical and histopathological outcomes, and comparative evaluation of findings reported by different researchers. The review also highlights limitations of existing studies, clinical relevance, and future research perspectives, thereby providing a consolidated scientific understanding of these nutraceuticals in liver disease management.},
keywords = {Hepatoprotection, Spirulina, Alfalfa, Oxidative stress, Liver injury, Nutraceuticals},
month = {May},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1718194}
}