Introduction

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an adverse drug reaction (ADR) that occurs in clinical applications. With the aggravation of the disease, DILI may progress to liver fibrosis, liver failure and even death and is a serious health threat [1, 2]. According to incomplete statistics, more than 1000 drugs may cause different degrees of liver injury [3]. In Western countries, the incidence of DILI is estimated to be (1–20)/100,000 of the total population [4,5,6,7]. The incidence of DILI in the state of Delaware, United States, is 2.7/100,000 [8]. In China, the annual incidence in the general population is 23.80/100,000, which is higher than that reported in Western countries. Traditional Chinese medicine and dietary supplements (26.81%) and anti-tuberculosis drugs (21.99%) are the two main categories of drugs causing DILI [9].

Some commonly used clinical drugs for DILI treatment include tiopronin, polyene phosphatidylcholine, ursodeoxycholic acid and N-acetylcysteine [10]. However, because the mechanism underlying the development of DILI is multisourced and complex, specific drugs for its treatment are still lacking.

Natural medicine is a treasure from nature to humans. Some natural drugs exert significant hepatoprotective effects on individuals with DILI. The concept of ‘natural therapy’ has been proposed in recent years, causing more people to pay attention to natural drugs. Most natural drugs have some problems, such as unclear compositions or unclear mechanisms of action, which seriously hinder their clinical applications and the development of new drugs.

In this paper, we performed a literature search using mainly Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, and VIP. We summarize the common types of drugs that cause DILI, the causes of liver injury, the mechanism of liver protection, the material basis of natural drugs and the clinical application of related drugs to provide a scientific basis and corresponding countermeasures for the development of potential hepatoprotective drugs based on natural medicine.

Common drugs and mechanism of DILI

Anti-TB drugs

Antituberculosis DILI (ATDILI) is a common form of DILI that often leads to the interruption of tuberculosis treatment and hinders the treatment process. At present, widely used anti-tuberculosis drugs in clinical applications with significant effects are mainly isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RFP), aminosalicylic acid and levofloxacin, which can lead to DILI. As the applied doses of these drugs increase, their adverse reactions become more obvious [11]. Some factors, including female, drinking alcohol, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or malnutrition, also increase the probability of liver damage caused by antituberculosis drugs [12, 13]. In recent years, researchers have found that CYP450, UGT, GST, NAT and other drug-metabolizing enzymes, as well as ABCB1, ABCC2 and other drug transporters and human leukocyte antigen gene polymorphisms, are positively correlated with the incidence of ATDILI [14, 15]. Furthermore, a polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene, rs3898649, is significantly associated with ATDILI susceptibility, suggesting that it may be a potential biomarker involved in ATDILI [16] and could be helpful in the clinical diagnosis of ATDILI.

At present, the occurrence of ATDILI is presumed to mainly involve immune mechanisms and nonimmune mechanisms [17]. The immune mechanism is based on the increase in the histamine content in the body and induction of type I allergies by antituberculosis drugs. They can also use haptens to form an immune complex that causes type II, III and IV allergies and subsequent liver injury. The immune response recruits inflammatory cells that continuously release cytokines to act on hepatic sinusoidal cells, resulting in local circulatory disorders. Inflammatory response-induced stress kills hepatocytes. This process has no relation with the dosage. Low doses of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide cause immune-mediated liver injury [18]. The nonimmune mechanism mainly involves the metabolic reaction of anti-TB drugs in vivo. Two main types of metabolic damage have been identified: direct and indirect damage to hepatocytes. However, both types have an obvious dose–response relationship with the drug dose, such as isoniazid, aminothiourea, rifampicin, ethylthioisoniazid, pyrazinamide and isonicotinamide. Direct hepatotoxicity of drugs and their metabolites includes the deformation and necrosis of hepatocytes. In addition, metabolites and drugs inhibit or block the metabolic function of hepatocytes or bile excretion function to subsequently damage hepatocytes or disrupt bile excretion, resulting in liver injury [19] (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Possible mechanism of Anti-TB drugs (example as INH). Drugs can make hepatic cells continuously release inflammatory cytokines and response-induced stress kills hepatocytes. Direct hepatotoxicity of drugs and their metabolites includes the deformation and necrosis of hepatocytes

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Antitumour drugs

Antitumor drugs exert a therapeutic effect by inhibiting or killing tumor cells in the body. Thus, they inevitably damage normal cells, tissues and organs, which may lead to many adverse reactions, including DILI and kidney injury. Liver injury caused by these drugs usually occurs 1–2 weeks after medication and may result in pathological symptoms, such as hepatocyte necrosis, cholestasis and mixed liver injury. The combination of multiple antitumor drugs increases the incidence of liver injury [20]. At present, research on platinum antitumor drugs is relatively extensive. According to reports, oral antitumor drugs are the main mode of administration, accounting for 30–50% of all antitumor therapies. Oral administration improves the safety of tumor treatment, but in some cases, the administration of an improper causes adverse effects [21]. The appropriate adjustment of the drug dosage based on hepatotoxicity examinations might effectively prevent liver damage caused by antitumor drugs [22].

Cisplatin (CP) is the first platinum antitumor drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It has a wide antibacterial spectrum, strong antitumor effect and antitumor activity greater than 60%. It is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug [23]. However, CP significantly reduces immune function and causes liver injury while resisting tumor cells [24]. CP is metabolized in the liver, and its accumulation in the liver is second only to that in the kidney. Its injury is mainly caused by inducing oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammatory injury in the liver. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation following CP-induced ROS production or abnormal expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) results in oxidative stress and injury in the liver [25].

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have good clinical analgesic and antipyretic effects. However, liver injuries lead to cancellation or withdrawal from the market during the premarket or postmarket evaluation stage. Seven types of NSAIDs cause severe DILI, including diclofenac, ibuprofen, sulindac, aspirin, naproxen, piroxicam and nimesulide. These drugs account for 99% of all NSAIDs [26].

Diclofenac is an NSAID that causes rare but severe liver toxicity through an unclear mechanism. Some studies have explored the role of the immune response in the process of liver injury. By determining the genetic polymorphisms in patients, researchers found that low levels of IL-10 and high levels of IL-4 gene transcription contribute to Th-2-mediated antibody binding to new antigens related to disease susceptibility [27].

Acetaminophen (APAP) is an NSAID with definite hepatotoxicity in clinical applications. At present, the main cause of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity is its metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). APAP is mainly metabolized into glucosinolates and sulfates. When treated with APAP, these compounds accounted for 80–90% of the total metabolites. A small amount of APAP is metabolized by CYP450 to produce an intermediate, and the intermediate generates NAPQI. NAPQI directly interacts with glutathione, which exerts a detoxification effect. When glutathione is depleted, hepatocytes are affected by toxic metabolites, causing cell necrosis [28,29,30]. APAP toxicity is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), which scavenges superoxide and produces peroxynitrite, resulting in protein nitration (3-tyrosine) and tissue damage [31, 32] (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Possible mechanism of NSAIDs (example as APAP). The potential mechanisms involved are CYP450 metabolites interact with cellular macromolecules, destroy protein structure, lipid peroxidation, destroy ion gradient, and disrupt calcium ion transport, inhibit ATP synthesis and bile acid synthesis

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Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)

The treatment of epilepsy requires the long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs. ADR may occur in this process, affecting the treatment and quality of life of patients and, in severe cases, even threatening their life. Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproic acid, phenytoin, lamotrigine, and felbamate are associated with DILI [33]. Recent studies have shown that liver injury caused by carbamazepine may be related to drug metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction [34].

Under the action of the CYP450 enzyme, the metabolites of AEDs covalently bind to the macromolecular proteins in cells or directly peroxidate the unsaturated fatty acids on the hepatocyte membrane, resulting in reduced ATP levels. The dynamic imbalance of Ca2+ in the cells leads to the rupture of actin fibers near the hepatocyte surface and disruption of the vesicular structure of the cell membrane, and then the cells rupture and dissolve [35].

Another mechanism of AEDs is blocking the beta oxidation and respiratory chain functions of mitochondria, leading to the failure of normal metabolism of free fatty acids, increased anaerobic fermentation, the accumulation of lactic acid and mitochondrial ROS production. ROS oxidize liposomes, cause lipid peroxidation, alter the mitochondrial membrane permeability, induce mitochondrial DNA damage, and induce cytokine (such as TNF-α and IL-8) production, further promoting liver damage [36].

Anti-fungal drugs

Ketoconazole (KT) is a typical antifungal drug, but its hepatotoxicity mechanism has not been resolved. Children and people over 60 years of age who take KT have liver toxicity incidences of 2.2% and 14%, respectively. In addition, people who take KT orally have a higher incidence (5.5%) of liver toxicity than specified in the drug instructions [37]. Some scholars have suggested that active metabolites may be the cause of liver toxicity. One reported metabolite of KT is N-deacetyl ketoconazole (DAK). DAK is further metabolized by flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) into the potentially toxic molecule dialdehyde [38].

Chinese herbal medicine

In recent years, the side effects of hepatotoxicity caused by Chinese herbal medicine have become increasingly prominent due to the increased use of Chinese medicine and have even become one of the main causes of DILI. According to reports, herb-induced liver injury (HILI) accounts for approximately 23.61% (34/144 cases) of all DILI cases [39]. A literature review found that the main Chinese herbal medicines that cause HILI include Polygonum multiflorum, Psoralen, Corydalis and Rhubarb [40], in which alkaloids and terpenoids are the main causes of hepatotoxicity [41]. The main reasons for the increase in HILI include the unqualified quality of traditional Chinese medicine, nonstandard clinical use, long-term treatment with large doses and improper compatibility, which lead to the aggravation of its toxic side effects [39]. HILI is not exclusively caused by Chinese herbal medicine itself. Rather, multidrug combinations, complex compositions, patient physique and other underlying diseases play a role in HILI.

HILI is mainly divided into two types: direct hepatotoxicity and idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity [42]. Direct hepatotoxicity (inherent DILI) is the direct damage caused by drugs and their metabolites to liver cells or mitochondria. It is relatively rare at present and is closely related to drug dosages. It is predictable, controllable and relatively safe [43]. Diosgenin, baicalin, saikosaponin D, and tetrandrine reduced the survival rate of L02 cells and increased AST activity. The levels of ALT, LDH and ALP increased in the cell culture medium. The mechanism of liver injury may be related to the activation of p38α [44]. In contrast, idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity (idiopathic DILI) is more common in the clinic and includes immune idiopathic liver injury or inflammatory idiopathic liver injury. This type of DILI has no correlation with the drug dose, is difficult to predict and progresses faster [45, 46]. One example is liver injury caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM).

Cis-stilbene glucoside (cis-SG) is the main component of PM causing DILI. However, the dose of cis-SG leading to liver injury is greater than that used in medicinal materials, indicating that other components of PM may also be involved in inducing liver injury. The main form of stilbene glycoside in PM is trans stilbene glucoside (trans-SG), which exerts an immunomodulatory effect, combined with the key role of immune inflammation in PM-induced liver injury [47]. Idiopathic DILI induced by PM is the result of the synergistic actions of abnormal immune function, immune active components (trans-SG) and potential liver injury-susceptible components (cis-SG) in PM. When the body is in a hyperimmune state, the immune-promoting substances in PM (such as trans-SG) further enhance systemic immunity, increase the sensitivity of the liver to liver injury-susceptible components (such as cis-SG) in PM, and induce IDILI. He et al. [48] used an LPS model to study IDILI and found that compared with trans-SG alone, the liver injury caused by the combination of cis-SG and trans-SG at the same dose in medicinal materials was more serious. The same dose of trans-SG only slightly increased the immune response, indicating that trans-SG also played a role in PM-induced heterogeneous liver injury (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Possible mechanism of Immune idiosyncratic DILI. Drugs or their metabolic products combine with liver specific proteins to become antigens, which can be phagocytosed by phagocytes and expressed on the cell surface. They can be recognized by CD4+ cells, stimulate the production of cytokines, activate the CD8+T cells of effector cells, and produce cytotoxicity leading to liver damage

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Other

Chlorpromazine and clozapine are commonly used first-line antipsychotic drugs that cause a certain degree of liver injury. Chlorpromazine directly induces liver toxicity, and clozapine increases the levels of transaminases in patients [49, 50]. Toxic free radicals are produced from antipsychotic drugs during liver metabolism, which directly inhibit Na+ - K+ − ATP enzyme activities in liver cells, thus reducing the stability of the liver cell membranes and detoxification enzymes and resulting in elevated transaminase levels and chronic liver damage [51].

Bioactive components of natural drugs for liver protection

A variety of chemical components in natural drugs have certain hepatoprotective activity. According to recent studies, flavonoids, polysaccharides, lignans, alkaloids, terpenes and other components have good hepatoprotective activity and good effects on drug-induced liver injury [52]. Their mechanisms of action are mainly to inhibit lipid peroxidation, promote the recovery of the liver cell membrane, eliminate oxygen free radicals, inhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, ameliorate cholestasis, and inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Bioactive components and mechanism of natural drugs for liver protection

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Flavonoids

Flavonoids are widely distributed in natural drugs and have good activity. They mainly includes flavone, flavonols, dihydroflavonoids and other related compounds. Most flavonoids exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects.

Flavone

Chrysin protects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity by restoring cellular antioxidant defenses and downregulating the expression of p53, Bax and caspase 3 [53]. Flavonoids in Rosae Laevigatae Fructus also prevent DNA fragmentation and changes in the mitochondrial ultramicrosome system. The expression of TNF-α, Fas/FasL and the Burlington gene was significantly decreased, and the level of Bcl-2 was significantly increased in a previous study [54]. In addition, total flavonoids from Acacia and Propolis also exert protective effects on liver injury [55].

Baicalin protects against liver injury by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB and reducing TNF production, which may be related to the upregulation of HO-1 protein expression and activity [56].

Flavonol

Quercetin intervention effectively reduces the APAP-induced liver damage. Its mechanism is not only related to activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and increasing the activity of antioxidant defenses but also to inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is closely related to reducing the release of proinflammatory factors [57]. Quercetin also inhibits cisplatin-induced liver injury in mice by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway [58]. Hypericin increases the activity and mRNA expression of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and sulfonyltransferases (sults), inhibits CYP2E1 activity, inhibits the formation of toxic intermediates and promotes the detoxification of APAP in the liver [59].

Dihydroflavone

Hesperidin reduces the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, blocks the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling, and reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory response induced by APAP in mice. Hesperidin inhibits APAP-mediated cytotoxicity, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein expression in mouse AML12 hepatocytes [60]. Naringin significantly increases the IC50 values of troglitazone and diclofenac sodium and reduces the expression of transaminase and caspase3. In addition, naringin prevents DILI by inhibiting the function of the CYP450 enzyme [61]. Josephine exerts an obvious protective effect on APAP-induced liver injury in mice by significantly decreasing the MDA level and significantly increasing SOD activity and the GSH level. Thus, its protective effect may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress in the liver [62].

Other compounds

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (C3G) increases the expression of Gclc in the liver by increasing cAMP levels to activate protein kinase A (PKA) and then increases the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) to promote CREB-DNA binding and increase Gclc transcription. Increased expression of Gclc results in decreased ROS levels and proapoptotic signaling in the liver. In addition, C3G treatment reduces lipid peroxidation in the liver, inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and prevents liver injury [63]. Silymarin is a flavonoid mixture with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, antiproliferative, antiviral and antifibrotic activities. It exerts a good protective effect on liver injury caused by antituberculosis drugs and acetaminophen [64]. Flavonoids with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 1. Moreover, their chemical structures are presented in Fig. 5.

Table 1 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of flavonoids in natural medicines
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Fig. 5
figure 5

The chemical structures of flavonoids showing anti-DILI activity. (1) α-Mangostin; (2) Dihydromyricetin; (3) L-Epicatehin; (4) (-)-Epicatehin gallate; (5) (-)-epigallocatechin; (6) Martynoside; (7) (+)-Catechin; (8) Licochalcone A; (9) Puerarin; (10) Quercetin; (11) Baicalin; (12) Baicalein; (13) Astlbin; (14) Cuecumin; (15) Hyperoside; (16) (-)-Gallocatechin; (17) (−)-Gallocatechin gallate; (18) Ellagic acid; (19) (+)-Taxifolin; (20) Silymarin; (21) Silicristin

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Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are present in a wide range of animals and plants and are polymers composed of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They participate in various life activities in organisms, mainly by inhibiting free radical-induced damage. They also regulate mitochondrial function and cytokines, inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and prevent hepatocyte apoptosis [89,90,91].

In recent years, the ability of polysaccharides to improve the liver tissues of individuals with DILI has also been reported, including those that received APAP [92], antituberculosis drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin) [93], hormone drugs (hydrocortisone) [94] and antitumor drugs (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, paclitaxel and cisplatin) [95,96,97,98]. Animal models have shown good results for candidate drugs in the prevention and treatment of DILI; new drug research and development continues to provide a reliable and feasible basis for DILI treatment.

Polysaccharides in Dendrobium officinale exert a hepatoprotective effect by inhibiting oxidative stress and activating the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway [99]. Kunlun chrysanthemum polysaccharides significantly reduce the expression of caspase-3 proteins and Bax proteins and increase the expression of Bcl-2 proteins and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. The mechanism may be related to its anti-inflammatory effects and the regulation of apoptosis-related protein expression [100]. Pachymaran increases the numbers of AKR7A-, c-Jun- and bcl-2-positive cells and decreases the number of Bax-labeled cells in the livers of mice with APAP-induced liver injury. The expression of NF-κB p65 and I Bα in liver cells is decreased in a dose-dependent manner [101].

Fucoidan inhibits CYP2E1 overexpression and reduces apoptosis caused by Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3. It also increases the antioxidant capacity (e.g., SOD), GSH-Px activity and GSH content in the liver. It reduces the levels of the inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-1β and the activity of iNOS; it also exerts good hepatoprotective effects [102]. SC polysaccharides significantly upregulate GSH expression in mice with liver injury, reduce MDA levels and upregulate the expression of Nrf2 to induce the expression of various detoxification enzymes and antioxidant genes (e.g., HO-1), thus alleviating oxidative stress and injury induced by DILI [103].

Polysaccharides with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of polysaccharides in natural medicines
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Alkaloids

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing alkaline compounds that exist in the biosphere (mainly plants) and have significant biological activities. According to recent studies, many alkaloids exert protective effects on the liver. Berberine significantly reduces hepatic MDA and MPO levels, inhibits JNK phosphorylation and upregulates the expression of Nrf-2 in the nucleus and its downstream gene Mn-SOD. In addition, BBR pretreatment significantly reduces the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines HMGB1 and p-p65 and the cleavage of caspase-1 and inhibits the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, producing a significant preventive effect on DILI [136].

Aconitine protects hepatocytes from APAP-induced damage by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction. Aconitine significantly inhibits the APAP-induced decrease in glutathione levels. The mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2-related protein levels are also decreased, but Bcl-2 and cytochrome-C levels in the mitochondria are increased. Thus, AC protects hepatocytes from APAP-induced toxicity by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction [137]. Ligustrazine exerts a protective effect on APAP-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways [138]. Alkaloids with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 3. Moreover, their chemical structures are presented in Fig. 6.

Table 3 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of Alkaloid in natural medicines
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Fig. 6
figure 6

The chemical structures of Alkaloids showing anti-DILI activity. (1) Ligustrazine; (2) Matrine; (3) Aconine; (4) Berberine; (5) Oxymatrine; (6) Dendrobine; (7) Capsaicin; (8) Piperine

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Saponin

Saponins are glycosides with a complex structure in the plant kingdom. Saponins are present in ginseng, diosgenin, licorice, notoginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Platycodon grandiflorum, Bupleurum and other natural medicines. Saponins display antitumor [144], hypoglycemic [145], cholesterol-lowering [146], hepatoprotective [147], immunoregulatory [148], anti-inflammatory [149] and other biological activities.

Ginsenoside Rk1 significantly reduces the serum levels of ALT, AST, TNF and IL-1β in mice with APA-induced liver injury. Ginsenoside Rk1 inhibits the activation of the apoptotic pathway by increasing Bcl-2 expression and reducing Bax protein expression levels, which significantly reverses APAP-induced liver necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration [150].

Ginsenoside Rg1 significantly reduces APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress, reduces the expression of the Keap1 protein and upregulates the expression of GCLC, Ugt1a1, Sult2a1 and other genes. The Nrf2 signaling pathway is an important pathway mediating its hepatoprotective effect [151]. Saponins in Platycodon grandiflorum (PGSs) alter the phosphorylation of AMPK and PI3K/Akt, as well as the downstream signals, including the Bcl-2 family, caspase and NF-κB. The mechanism was mainly mediated by the NF-κB and AMPK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways [152].

Saponins with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 4. Moreover, their chemical structures are presented in Fig. 7.

Table 4 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of saponin in natural medicines
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Fig. 7
figure 7

The chemical structures of Saponin showing anti-DILI activity. (1) Platycodin D; (2) Akebia saponin D; (3) Ginsenoside Rg1; (4) Ginsenoside Rg5; (5) Ginsenoside Rk1; (6) Saikosaponin A; (7) Saikosaponin D; (8) Geniposide; (9) Arjunolic acid; (10) Astragaloside IV; (11) Ginsenoside Rb1; (12) Chiisanoside; (13) Ginsenoside Rg3

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Lignans

Lignans are natural compounds synthesized by the polymerization of phenylpropanoids (C3–C6 monomers), which are widely distributed in various plants and have diverse structures and extensive biological activities. The lignans in Schisandra chinensis (SC) protect the liver and reduce serum ALT levels. For example, schisandrin methyl ester and its analogs are used to treat hepatitis in China [159]. SC lignans induce the hepatic expression of the PXR target genes Cyp3a11 and Ugt1a1, accelerate the metabolism of bile acid and increase the amount of bile acid flowing from liver to intestine or feces [160].

Gomisin N promotes liver sirtuin1 (SIRT1)-AMPK signaling, activates PPARα/PGC-1α, promotes fatty acid β oxidation, downregulates CYP2E1, upregulates antioxidant gene expression, inhibits inflammatory gene expression, and inhibits reactive oxygen species generation. In addition, GN prevents the decrease in SIRT1 signaling and AMPK phosphorylation to alleviate liver injury [161].

Lignans with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 5. Moreover, their chemical structures are presented in Fig. 8.

Table 5 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of lignans in natural medicines
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Fig. 8
figure 8

The chemical structures of lignans showing anti-DILI activity. (1) Angeloylgomisin O; (2) Gomisin N; (3) Schizandrol B; (4) Gomisin D; (5) Gomisin G; (6) Gomisin J; (7) Gomisin O; (8) Schisandrin C; (9) Schizandrol A; (10) Gomisin A; (11) Schisanhenol; (12) Schisandrin A; (13) Schizandrin B; (14) Schisantherin A; (15) Schisantherin E; (16) Schisantherin B

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Terpene

Terpenoids are natural compounds produced from isoprene or isoprane through various pathways. They are the main components of volatile oil and are widely distributed in nature. According to the number of isoprene units present in their structures, they are divided into monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenes [167].

Citronella essential oil reduces the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and MPO activity and NO production, inhibits the migration of neutrophils in mice with APAP-induced liver injury and shows antioxidant activity, thus ameliorating APAP-induced liver toxicity [168]. Astaxanthin inhibits the TNF-α-mediated JNK signaling pathway and the phosphorylation of ERK and P38, prevents ROS generation, inhibits oxidative stress, reduces hepatocyte necrosis, protects the liver and alleviates DILI [169]. Kamebakaurinecan significantly reduces ALT and AST levels and protects against DILI by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress [170].

Terpenes with specific anti-DILI activity are shown in Table 6. Moreover, their chemical structures are presented in Fig. 9.

Table 6 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of terpenes in natural medicines
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Fig. 9
figure 9

The chemical structures of terpene showing anti-DILI activity. (1) Betulinic acid; (2) Atracylenolide-1; (3) Thymoquinone; (4) Andrographis; (5) Liquiritigenin; (6) Kamebakaueine; (7) Ursolic; (8) Astaxanthin; (9) Thymoquinone; (10) Kamebakaurin; (11) Oleanolic acid

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Others

Auricularia auricula extract exerts antioxidant and protective effects on APAP-induced liver injury. The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant effects of chlorogenic acid may be one of its mechanisms [174]. Tovophylin A (TA) inhibits APAP-induced lipid peroxidation and improves the liver antioxidant capacity. It increases the mRNA expression of nuclear red blood cell-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its target genes, inhibits the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and subsequently induces proinflammatory cytokine production to exert a significant protective effect on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity [175].

Acalypha wilkesiana extract significantly reduces TLR3 and TLR4 expression, thus activating MAPKs and NF-κB to reduce the levels of liver injury indicators and proinflammatory factors at the protein and gene levels to attenuate APAP-induced liver injury [176]. Tannic acid possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. Tannic acid inhibits excess IL-1β, TNF-α, c-fos, c-jun, NF-κB p65 and caspase-3 accumulation, inhibits Nrf2 and HO-1, and exerts significant hepatoprotective effects on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity [177]. Some polyphenols also reduce DILI by inhibiting the activities of the CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 enzymes [178]. Other bioactive components that inhibit DILI and have been identified to date are shown in Table 7.

Table 7 Anti-DILI effect and mechanism of extract for natural medicines
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The clinical application of natural drugs

In clinical practice, the use of single medications to treat DILI is infrequent (i.e., mainly for natural drug combinations), but their use for the treatment of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury is relatively more frequent. This research is summarized in Table 8. Natural drugs and their combinations used to treat DILI were preliminarily investigated. It was found that the use frequency of natural drugs (e.g., SC, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Artemisia capillaris) was high, with great exploration potential and application prospects.

Table 8 Clinical research
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The authors further systematically reviewed SC and found that SC is a natural drug with great potential for the treatment of DILI. Its active components significantly improve the liver function of patients and exert significant therapeutic effects on DILI, with few reported adverse reactions. Thus, SC may be a very important and effective treatment from DILI. As many as 10 related preparations based on SC or its bioactive components have been widely used in the clinical treatment of elevated transaminase levels caused by various liver diseases. Examples include bicyclol, bifendate, gandening, Wuzhi capsules and Liuwei Wuling tablets.

The researchers studied 72 patients with liver injury caused by antituberculosis drugs. According to different methods of treating liver injury, the patients were divided into 37 patients in the observation group and 35 patients in the control group. The control group was treated with diammonium glycyrrhizinate, and the observation group was treated with bicyclol tablets. The total clinical effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group. After treatment, the levels of ALT, AST and TBIL in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group. Both treatments exert a good hepatoprotective effect, but the effect of bicyclol is better than diammonium glycyrrhizinate [188]. Liu observed the clinical efficacy of Liuwei Wuling tablets in preventing DILI caused by anti-TB drugs. Liuwei Wuling tablets were administered to the treatment group, and glucuronolactone tablets were administered to the control group. The occurrence of liver injury in the two groups was observed. One patient in the treatment group was diagnosed with liver injury and four patients in the control group had liver injury, with incidence rates of 6.7% and 26.7%, respectively, indicating that Liuwei Wuling tablets effectively prevent drug-induced liver injury caused by anti-TB drugs [189].

The mechanism by which Liuwei Wuling tablets treat DILI may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Liuwei Wuling tablets inhibit the expression of the inflammatory factors high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), TNF-α and IL-1β, increases GSH and SOD activities, and reduces MDA and triglyceride (TG) levels in the liver tissue [190]. In addition, Liuwei Wuling tablets inhibit the increase in the Th1 cell ratio and promote an increase in the Th2 cell ratio in mice to restore the Th1/Th2 balance and reduce liver injury [191].

Limitations and future prospects

The purpose of establishing the control group in a clinical trial is to judge whether the changes observed in subjects before and after treatment are caused by the test drug or other factors. Randomized controlled trials are the most rigorous and reliable scientific method to evaluate the effects of medical intervention measures. The scientific and reasonable establishment of the control group is one of the most important steps in the design of clinical research, which is directly related to the results and conclusions of the research.

Natural drugs may exert a protective effect on DILI by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, promoting the recovery of the liver cell membrane, eliminating oxygen free radicals, inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction, ameliorating cholestasis, restoring a balanced Ca2+ concentration and inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors. Due to the diversity of chemical components in natural drugs, they have many targets in the treatment of diseases. The same component may have multiple targets, and both common and different targets have been identified among different components. The components exert both independent and synergistic effects. Limited clinical trials investigating these drugs have mainly used natural drug combinations. Although the curative effect is accurate, the specific drugs and their mechanisms of action are difficult to explain. At present, most drugs have been analyzed in animal experiments and require further verification. Nevertheless, they still have a certain reference value.

Conclusion

Natural drugs are a natural treasure worth developing and utilizing as new drugs. Drug development with natural drugs as the main raw material will be an important method to treat DILI in the future. We hope that this review provides a scientific basis for understanding existing products and prescriptions, further clarifies market positioning and provides a reference for the development of drugs for DILI.