A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HEPATOTOXINS

Abstract

Liver has storage, filtration, excretory and metabolic functions. The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible 
to the toxicity from these agents. More than 900 drugs have been reported to cause liver injury, and drugs account for 20-40% of all instances of 
fulminant hepatic failure. Other organic and inorganic substances used in laboratories and industries, natural chemicals (eg: microcystins) and some 
herbal remedies can also induce hepatotoxicity. Hepatic injury leads to disturbances the functions of hepatocytes resulting in leakage of plasma 
membrane thereby causing an increased enzyme level in serum. This review focus on various types of hepatotoxins involved in liver injury.