*4.3. Hepatoprotective E*ff*ect*

Liver diseases are a worldwide concern, and accessible medical treatments have an inadequate efficacy. Since ancient times, herbs have been used when treating various disease conditions; plant extracts and natural compounds have significant applications as hepatoprotective agents. The liver is the site of drug metabolism and the detoxification site of toxic products, and so it is the organ most exposed to xenobiotics [107]. *M. koenigii* extended hepatoprotective activity when crude aqueous extracts were investigated against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animals. *M. koenigii* was reported to extend a protective effect in liver impairments in chronic alcoholism and was proved to be effective in maintaining the enzymatic oxidant status [108]. Water extracts of carbazole alkaloids and tannin of *M. koenigii* were explored for their hepatoprotective activity against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in a HepG2 cell line model. They exhibited excellent hepatoprotective activity, maintaining the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant level at a near normal value and also maintaining the integrity of the cells [31]. An *M. koenigii* hydro-ethanolic leaf extract was reported to attenuate the CCl4 hepatotoxic effects in rats. *M. koenigii*-pretreated rats showed a significant decrement in activity levels of hepatic markers and also maintained the level of enzymatic antioxidants [16].
