Herbal medicine as a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a global public health concern, affecting over one-quarter of the global population. It is closely associated with the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Current treatment options for NAFLD are limited and often have side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a promising alternative with its holistic approach and use of multi-component herbal formulations. A recent study explored the potential of the TCM formula, "Fanlian Huazhuo Formula (FLHZF)", to alleviate high-fat diet-induced NAFLD by regulating autophagy and lipid synthesis signaling pathways. TCM has shown advantages in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD due to its efficacy and minimal side effects. However, the complex multicomponent and multitarget characteristics of formulas such as FLHZF present challenges in research. Future studies should focus on utilizing modern techniques to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of action and active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines, thereby promoting their modernization.