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Review
. 2024 Apr 1;14(1):24.
doi: 10.1007/s13659-024-00445-z.

Natural compounds proposed for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Théodora Merenda  1 , Florian Juszczak  2 , Elisabeth Ferier  2   3 , Pierre Duez  3 , Stéphanie Patris  1 , Anne-Émilie Declèves  2 , Amandine Nachtergael  4
Affiliations
Review

Natural compounds proposed for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Théodora Merenda et al. Nat Prod Bioprospect. .

Abstract

Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents as an intricate condition characterized by a growing prevalence, the often-recommended lifestyle interventions mostly lack high-level evidence of efficacy and there are currently no effective drugs proposed for this indication. The present review delves into NAFLD pathology, its diverse underlying physiopathological mechanisms and the available in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence regarding the use of natural compounds for its management, through three pivotal targets (oxidative stress, cellular inflammation, and insulin resistance). The promising perspectives that natural compounds offer for NAFLD management underscore the need for additional clinical and lifestyle intervention trials. Encouraging further research will contribute to establishing more robust evidence and practical recommendations tailored to patients with varying NAFLD grades.

Keywords: Chenopodium quinoa; 6-Gingerol; Biochanin A; Curcumin; Ginsenoside K; Hesperidin; Naringenin; Natural compound; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Oleanolic acid; Sylimarin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Histological spectrum of NAFLD. H0CC hepatocellular carcinoma, IR insulin resistance, NAFL non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, ROS reactive oxygen species
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pathogenesis of NAFLD. FFAs free fatty acids, HCC hepatocellular carcinoma, IR insulin resistance, NAFL non-alcoholic fatty liver, NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, PNPLA-3 patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, ROS reactive oxygen species, TGs triglycerides
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Key targets in the development and progression of NAFLD. ChREBP carbohydrate responsive element binding protein, FFAs free fatty acids, GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide 1, IL interleukin, NF-κB nuclear factor κB, PPAR-γ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, ROS reactive oxygen species, SREBP-1c sterol regulatory element binding protein, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Chemical structures of natural compounds. C compound
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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