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

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.