Natural Products on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Curr Drug Targets. 2015;16(12):1347-55. doi: 10.2174/1389450116666150531155711.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disorder of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and is often associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, energy homeostasis dysregulation, and inflammation at cellular and molecular levels. Use of currently available anti-hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, or anti-inflammation drugs to treat NAFLD has not achieved desirable outcomes. A growing attention thus has been paid towards natural products as an alternative means in treating NALFD. Some of the natural products apparently possess the properties of ameliorating symptoms of NAFLD through restoration of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and energy homeostasis. Data from recent animal and human studies concerning the use of natural products in the treatment of NAFLD are analyzed, and the potential underlying mechanisms are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism / drug effects
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism / physiology
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / physiology
  • Mitochondria, Liver / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Liver / physiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / drug therapy*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / physiopathology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Glucose