Abstract

Liver is the most important organ that performs vital function of the body. Hepatotoxicity is becoming a leading cause of death world-wide and prevalence is increasing exponentially. There are many traditional as well as allopathic medicines available which impart hepatoprotection but the treatment of chronic liver disease is still a challenge for health care professionals. For this purpose, rodents are routinely being used in the laboratory for induction of hepatotoxicity. Non-invasive methods that includes chemicals (CCL _4, thioacetamide, aflatoxin B1, Acrylamide etc), toxic metals (mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium), drugs (NSAIDs, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents), radiation, high-fat diet and alcohol, are generally used to induce hepatic toxicity. Invasive methods used generally include bile duct ligation and portal vein ligation. This article provides an overview of different types of hepatic toxicants, their doses and time of induction. This review will help researchers in selecting the right model and studying and developing newer hepatoprotective drugs with minimum side effects.