Research progress in natural products for regulating intestinal microecology and treating liver diseases.

Sinan HU; Shuwei LI; Yaping LIU; Hongxia LI; Shuixiang HE; Rongzhan FU; Qiang FEI

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Research progress in natural products for regulating intestinal microecology and treating liver diseases.

Author: Sinan HU ¹ ; Shuwei LI ¹ ; Yaping LIU ² ; Hongxia LI ² ; Shuixiang HE ² ; Rongzhan FU ³ ; Qiang FEI ¹
Author Information

1. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China.
2. Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China.
3. School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, China.
Publication Type:English Abstract
Keywords: gut-liver axis; intestinal flora; liver diseases; natural products
MeSH: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*; Liver Diseases/prevention & control*; Biological Products/pharmacology*; Polyphenols/pharmacology*; Saponins/pharmacology*; Intestines/microbiology*; Alkaloids/pharmacology*; Polysaccharides/pharmacology*; Liver
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(8):2971-2986
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Liver diseases have become a major challenge threating the global health, posing a heavy burden on both social and personal well-being. In recent years, the development of the gut-liver axis theory has provided new research perspectives and intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Natural products, recognized as biological molecules with diverse sources, rich activities, and minimal side effects, demonstrate great potential in regulating intestinal flora and improving liver health. Studies have shown that natural products such as saponins, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and alkaloids can regulate the composition and metabolites of intestinal flora, thereby intervening in liver diseases. In this paper, we systematically review the role of natural products in the regulation of the intestinal flora-gut-liver axis and summarize recent research progress in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Furthermore, we outline the challenges and limitations currently facing the study in this field. Finally, this paper makes an outlook on the clinical application of natural products in treating liver diseases and discusses future research directions, aiming to give new insights into the mechanisms by which natural products regulate the intestinal flora-gut-liver axis and the applications of these products in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.