DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2026.3.19
L.I. Pokachailo
Desmodium ascending as a promising plant for use in hepatology
Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2026;25(3):19-28.
Abstract.
Effective therapy of chronic liver diseases, as well as their prevention, is among the most urgent problems of modern hepatology. To treat liver diseases, hepatoprotectors are used, mainly related to the ATC code A05BA “Hepatotropic drugs” (a subgroup of “Drugs for the treatment of liver and biliary tract diseases”). Traditionally, medicinal substances with hepatoprotective properties include plant polyphenols. Desmodium adscendens is one of the plants containing polyphenols which is widely used abroad. The article presents the evidence base for assessing the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity and safety of Desmodium adscendens. Extracts of the leaves of Desmodium adscendens have pronounced antioxidant and antiradical activity. This was proved experimentally by measuring the levels of intracellular radial oxygen species in the granulocytes of mice exposed to hydrogen peroxide and treated with extracts of Desmodium ascending leaves in tests with 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfone, 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl and in tests on liver (HEPG2) and kidney cells (LLC-PK1), in oxidative stress caused by glucose.
The hepatoprotective properties of the herb, decoction and extract of the herb Desmodium adscendens have been confirmed in tests on rats with acute and chronic liver damage.
Regarding high incidence of liver diseases and lack of domestic medicines containing Desmodium adscendens on the pharmaceutical market, as well as the high therapeutic potential of the plant described in the article, it is advisable to develop hepatoprotectors based on it in our country.
Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, extract, polyphenols, hepatoprotective properties, antioxidant properties, safety.
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Submitted 06.03.2026
Accepted 19.06.2026
Information about authors:
Liudmila I. Pokachailo – Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, associate professor of the Chair of Organization of Pharmacy with the course of the Advanced Training & Retraining, Belarusian State Medical University, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра..
