Vietnam is facing an alarming reality of liver cancer with a mortality rate of 23/100,000 people, ranking fifth among the 10 countries with the highest liver cancer mortality rates globally.

Liver disease, especially liver cancer, is closely related to unhealthy lifestyles and unscientific diets. In addition to improving treatment methods to cure and increase the life expectancy of liver cancer patients, prevention and protection of the liver from negative factors from the living environment, diet and unhealthy lifestyle are also very important. According to the Globocan 2022 report, the rate of new liver cancer cases in Vietnam is 24,502 cases, accounting for 13.6% of all cancers. Notably, 77% of them are men. Liver cancer is also the type of cancer with the highest mortality rate, with 23,333 cases, accounting for 19.4% of all cancer deaths. Recent studies have shown that some medicinal plants and natural herbs can help protect the liver, reduce the risk of liver disease and improve liver health; Products made from these natural medicinal plants and herbs are not only safe but also easily accessible and usable by the community.

In order to exploit and utilize domestic herbal resources to support the treatment of liver disease, many studies have been focused on and promoted by scientists in recent times. Specifically

Tamarind:  Prof. Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong  and the research team of the Institute of Chemistry (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) implemented the project  “Research on the liver protection effect of tamarind fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.) ” in 2018. By extracting phenolics from tamarind fruit in different extraction solvents, the researchers determined that 96-degree alcohol extract gave the best results, with high polyphenol content (432 mg GAE/g), which has strong liver protection and antioxidant effects. From there, the research team successfully built an extraction technology process to create a liver protection product called PHYLAMESIT – which has the effect of protecting the liver, reducing fatty liver, supporting cholesterol reduction and weight loss.

Cò sen, Mốp gai and Sóc trai:  Associate Professor, Dr. Đại Thị Xuân Trang  and colleagues (Can Tho University) have studied ” Screening and selection of medicinal plants in An Giang province that meet biological requirements for liver protection, anti-cancer, and diabetes treatment support ” since 2018. The researchers have surveyed the biological activities (such as anti-oxidation, liver protection, anti-cancer and anti-diabetes) of 23 medicinal plants in An Giang. The results show that some plants such as Cúc chỉ thiên nhớm, Bông hồng, Sóc trai, Mố gai and Cò sen are medicinal plants with good activity. The results of acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests show that the bark of Cò sen, Mố gai and Sóc trai do not show toxicity. Using dry column flash chromatography and normal phase chromatography combined with modern spectroscopy techniques, the group isolated a number of compounds with strong liver protection, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, thereby building and perfecting the production process of capsules and tea bags that are effective and safe for users.

Plants of Saigon, Bear’s bile, Phyllanthus urinaria: also in 2018,  “Research on screening herbs with liver-protecting effects on HepG2 cell models poisoned by ethanol or tert-butyl hydroperoxide”  conducted by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Biotechnology, screened 10 medicinal herbs with the effect of treating liver-related diseases, from which, extracted dry extracts and calculated efficiency. The results showed that extracts from Saigon, Bear’s bile, and Phyllanthus urinaria are effective in protecting liver cells, with the potential to be developed into foods that support enhanced liver function.

Trang to tree: in 2019, a research team from Can Tho University conducted a study on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver protection properties of Trang to tree. The results showed that the extract from Trang to leaves has the ability to reduce the levels of serum ALT and AST enzymes, reduce harmful stimulants (MDA) and increase the amount of antioxidants (GSH) in liver tissue. These effects help to effectively fight oxidation, inflammation and protect the liver.

Myrtle, Cleistocalyx operculatus: In 2019, the Ho Chi Minh City Ginseng and Medicinal Materials Center announced two types of extracts from Myrtle leaves, 96% ethanol extract and water extract, which have the effect of protecting the liver, reducing AST and ALT in plasma, reducing MDA content, and restoring GSH content in the liver. In addition, Myrtle leaf extract also has the effect of improving HDL-cholesterol content in plasma, thereby regulating blood lipids. This is the result of the topic ” Evaluation of the liver protection and blood lipid reduction effects of extracts from Myrtle leaves (Cleistocalyx operculatus )” conducted by the Center since January 2019. Besides Myrtle leaves, also in 2019, the Center implemented the research ” Survey of the liver protection and diabetes treatment support effects of Myrtle” , with the head being  MSc. Ha Quang Minh . The results showed that 96% ethanol extract from Rau trai improved GSH content in the liver, reducing the increase in MDA levels that are harmful to the liver.

Bai hoa xa thiet thao – Ban chi lien: in 2020, a group of doctors at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine conducted  a “Research on modernizing the Bai hoa xa thiet thao – Ban chi lien remedy that has the effect of protecting the liver “. By 2022, the group had succeeded in building a process of extracting extracts from two medicinal herbs, Bai hoa xa thiet thao and Ban chi lien; developing a hard capsule formula that has the effect of protecting the liver, meeting quality standards, and is safe for users.

Schisandra:  Dr. Nguyen Thi Ha Ly  and colleagues (Institute of Medicinal Materials) conducted  a “Research on creating a product to support the treatment of chronic liver disease from Schisandra sphenanthera (Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder et Wills Schisandraceae) harvested in Vietnam ” in 2020, focusing on extracting Schisandra sphenanthera – a medicinal plant that protects the liver and supports the treatment of chronic liver disease. The research team successfully developed a high-tech extraction process, determined the formula and process for preparing Schisandra sphenanthera extract hard capsules that protect the liver and support the treatment of chronic liver disease.

Wild Pineapple: In 2023, ” Research on the process of extracting the total extract with anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects from wild pineapple (Pandanus tonkinensis mart. EX B. Stone)” conducted  by  Prof. Dr. Pham Hung Viet  and colleagues (University of Natural Sciences) was accepted by the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. The researchers successfully extracted and formulated the total extract on a laboratory scale with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting properties.

Research on natural liver protection products not only confirms their effectiveness and safety, but also opens up opportunities for the development of the pharmaceutical and functional food processing industry in Vietnam. In addition to taking advantage of available natural medicinal resources, the success of researchers also contributes effectively to the effort to minimize the impact of liver disease and improve people’s health.

                                                                                    Source: PTT (synthesis), NASATI