Dietary antioxidants in mitigating carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatoxicity: An integrative review of preclinical insights

Abstract

Liver toxicity has remained the primary health concern globally, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is well-known as a hepatotoxic agent. Being a powerful pro-oxidant, CCl4 induces liver damage via lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which often leads to hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis and, in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. Owing to the limitations of traditional treatments and their related toxicity, dietary antioxidants have emerged as an effective natural solution for liver protection. The current review comprehends the information about plant-derived antioxidants such as curcumin, chlorogenic acids, ellagic acid, gallic acid, ginsenosides, hesperidin, kaempferol, lycopene, naringenin, quercetin, resveratrol, and rutin explores their potential in mitigating CCl4-induced liver toxicity based on preclinical data. It also discusses the diverse mechanisms and preclinical studies on animals, highlighting the potential of dietary antioxidants in reducing liver damage. This review intends to serve as the foundation to signify the potential of dietary antioxidants in managing and preventing liver toxicity and open new avenues for future research to explore their clinical applications. © 2025 The Author(s)