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Molecular Mechanism Pathways of Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Xiaolei Fang1, Jiayu Song1, Kaixuan Zhou1

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Natural compounds show promise for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a widespread condition lacking effective drugs. This review explores how these compounds combat NAFLD by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut health.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern with increasing prevalence.
  • Current therapeutic options for NAFLD are limited, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of natural compounds for NAFLD.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of natural compounds against NAFLD pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of the PubMed database.
  • Integration of in vivo and in vitro experimental findings on natural compounds and NAFLD.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways targeted by natural compounds.

Main Results:

  • Natural compounds demonstrate efficacy in mitigating NAFLD by reducing hepatic lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
  • Compounds modulate key pathways, including AMPK and TGF-β, improving insulin resistance and lipid accumulation.
  • Interactions with the gut microbiota are identified as a significant mechanism of action.

Conclusions:

  • Natural compounds offer a promising avenue for NAFLD prevention and treatment.
  • Further research into these compounds can lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents for NAFLD.
  • This review provides a foundation for future drug development and clinical applications in NAFLD management.
Keywords:
hepatic steatosisinflammationnatural compoundsnon-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseoxidative stress

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