Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Liver Fibrosis Based on Autophagy： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20231241
- VernacularTitle:基于自噬探讨中医药抗肝纤维化的研究进展
- Author:
Mengyuan TIAN
1
;
Ming ZHANG
1
;
Zhe ZHAO
1
;
Yuqiu JIN
1
;
Guangshun CHEN
1
Author Information
1. Gansu University of Chinese Medicine， Lanzhou 730000，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
traditional Chinese medicine;
hepatic fibrosis;
autophagy;
signaling pathway;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2023;29(21):255-263
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Hepatic fibrosis （HF） is a widespread disease caused by various forms of chronic liver injury， significantly impacting human health. HF often has an insidious onset with inconspicuous symptoms， but in its advanced stages， it can progress to cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenic mechanisms of HF are highly complex， primarily characterized by excessive extracellular matrix （ECM） deposition. Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated degradation system employed by cells to recycle cellular contents， eliminate aggregated proteins， damaged organelles， and invading pathogens （such as viruses and bacteria） to maintain normal cellular function and dynamic balance. Autophagy can regulate various signaling pathways and factors， including mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， to reduce the activation of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs） and hepatocyte necrosis and apoptosis， thereby mitigating ECM deposition and slowing the progression of HF. Numerous studies also suggest that traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） can effectively treat HF， and its mechanism of action may be related to autophagy. This article provides a review by summarizing recent literature in China and abroad on the mechanisms of autophagy， related signaling factors and pathways， as well as the role of TCM in regulating autophagy for the prevention and treatment of HF， aiming to offer insights and references for the development of TCM in the prevention and clinical rational medication in the treatment of HF.
