Potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A promising future

Abstract

In this editorial, we provide insights into the publication by Niu et al featured in the latest edition of the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Specifically, our focus was on exploring the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet through various mechanisms. NAFLD is a common liver condition, affecting approximately 25% of the world's population. It is closely linked to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, excessive body weight, and irregular lipid processing, leading to fat accumulation in the liver, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation. While maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle are essential for managing NAFLD, treatment options are limited due to undefined pathogenesis and a lack of specific medications. TCM, rooted in traditional Chinese practices, presents a promising alternative through its "syndrome differentiation and treatment" principles, enhancing liver lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation, and addressing fibrosis. Certain herbs, such as Poria cocos, Puaria lobata, and Salvia miltiorrhiza, have shown significant efficacy in reducing fat deposition and improving liver function. Due to systematic research and analysis of mechanisms, TCM is anticipated to yield new approaches to prevent and treat NAFLD, increasing its clinical application.

Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Traditional Chinese medicine; High-fat diet; Potential; Prospects

Core Tip: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has the highest global prevalence among chronic liver diseases, and to date, treatment options have been limited. Owing to their multicomponent and comprehensive conditioning characteristics, traditional Chinese medicine has garnered attention for its potential to improve liver lipid metabolism, alleviate liver oxidative stress damage, and mitigate the inflammatory response. In recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet, making it a significant area for new drug development and an indispensable component of modern medicine.