Published online May 14, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i18.2155
Peer-review started: January 10, 2020
First decision: February 28, 2020
Revised: March 26, 2020
Accepted: April 24, 2020
Article in press: April 24, 2020
Published online: May 14, 2020
Processing time: 125 Days and 2.9 Hours
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive subtype of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and potentiates risks for both hepatic and metabolic diseases. Although the pathophysiology of NASH is not completely understood, recent studies have revealed that macrophage activation is a major contributing factor for the disease progression. Macrophages integrate the immune response and metabolic process and have become promising targets for NASH therapy. Natural products are potential candidates for NASH treatment and have multifactorial underlying mechanisms. Macrophage involvement in the development of steatosis and inflammation in NASH has been widely investigated. In this review, we assess the evidence for natural products or their active ingredients in the modulation of macrophage activation, recruitment, and polarization, as well as the metabolic status of macrophages. Our work may highlight the possible natural products that target macrophages as potential treatment options for NASH.
Core tip: Macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Here we discuss the evidence for natural products or their active ingredients in the modulation of macrophage activation, recruitment, and polarization, as well as the metabolic status of macrophages. Our work may highlight the possible natural products that target macrophages as potential treatment options for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.