A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL, AND ETHNOBOTANICAL PROFILE OF Boerhavia diffusa Linn. WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INDEPTH HEPATOPROTECTIVE MECHANISMS

This comprehensive review combines ancient ethnobotanical tradition with modern pharmacological validation, to explore the therapeutic profile of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Punarnava). The paper highlights the global geographical distribution of the plant, its unique macroscopic morphology and rich phytochemical matrix consisting of active chemical markers such as punarnavine, boeravinone B and liriodendrin. The paper focuses on the multi-targeted hepatoprotective mechanisms of the plant and how its bioactives alleviate the hepatic stress. These pathways include restoration of endogenous antioxidant defenses, suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cascades, regulation of Cytochrome P450 enzymes, and modulation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway to promote cell survival and hepatocyte membrane stabilization.