Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervenes in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating TLR4 Signaling Pathway： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250698
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控TLR4信号通路干预非酒精性脂肪肝的实验研究进展
- Author:
Zhiwei SU
1
;
Juan XUE
2
;
Jun SUN
2
;
Heng FAN
3
;
Rui ZHU
3
;
Chunyan JI
2
Author Information
1. Hubei University of Chinese Medicine，Wuhan 430065，China
2. Hubei Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine，Wuhan 430015，China
3. Union Hospital，Huazhong University of Science and Technology，Wuhan 430022，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway;
mechanism;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(5):291-299
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a chronic liver disease closely related to metabolism， which is mainly characterized by abnormal lipid deposition in hepatocytes. In recent years， with the increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome， NAFLD has become one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and varied， involving the cross-regulation of multiple signaling pathways such as glucose-lipid metabolism， oxidative stress， and inflammation. The TLR4 signaling pathway plays a key role in the development and progression of NAFLD， and abnormal activation of this pathway accelerates the deterioration of NAFLD by promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines， inducing oxidative stress， and exacerbating insulin resistance. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） can regulate the TLR4 signaling pathway to alleviate the symptoms and pathological features of NAFLD. The present review summarizes the experimental research progress in the TCM regulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway in treating NAFLD in the past 5 years， covering a wide range of TCM active ingredients （such as polysaccharides， terpenoids， alkaloids， flavonoids） and compound prescriptions. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of TCM can effectively ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders， reduce insulin resistance， regulate intestinal flora， and inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating the TLR4 signaling pathway via multiple targets and pathways， thus slowing down the progression of NAFLD. Through in-depth analysis of the pathological mechanisms of NAFLD and exploration of the potential of TLR4 signaling pathway as a therapeutic target， we can provide theoretical support for the application of TCM in the treatment of NAFLD， as well as new perspectives and directions for future clinical research and new drug development， thereby promoting the innovation and development of therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.
