Natural compounds in the chemoprevention of alcoholic liver disease

Yingfeng Tu, Shu Zhu, Jing Wang, Ezra Burstein, Da Jia

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Much effort has been expended to explore the pathogenesis of ALD. Hepatic cell injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, regeneration, and bacterial translocation are all involved in the pathogenesis of ALD. Immediate abstinence is the most important therapeutic treatment for affected individuals. However, the medical treatment for ALD had not advanced in a long period. Intriguingly, an increasing body of research indicates the potential of natural compounds in the targeted therapy of ALD. A plethora of dietary natural products such as flavonoids, resveratrol, saponins, and β-carotene are found to exert protective effects on ALD. This occurs through various mechanisms composed of antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, iron chelation, pro-apoptosis, and/or antiproliferation of hepatic stellate cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the pathogenesis and treatments of ALD and focus on the potential of natural compounds in ALD therapies and underlying mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2192-2212
Number of pages21
JournalPhytotherapy Research
Volume33
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2019

Keywords

  • alcoholic liver disease
  • flavonoids
  • resveratrol
  • saponins
  • β-carotene

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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