Chinese Medicine Regulates Nrf2 Signaling Pathway for Treating Hepatic Fibrosis： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251241
- VernacularTitle:中药调控Nrf2信号通路治疗肝纤维化研究进展
- Author:
Shuxuan QIU
1
;
Lin GUO
2
;
Ruiying WANG
2
;
Xudong MA
3
;
Mingsan MIAO
1
Author Information
1. Henan Collaborative Innovation Center for R&D of Yu Medicinal Whole Industrial Chain， Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
2. Institute of Essential Oils， Henan Academy of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
3. School of Pharmacy， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）;
hepatic fibrosis;
traditional Chinese medicine;
antioxidant stress;
anti-inflammatory
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(9):276-283
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Hepatic fibrosis （HF） is an abnormal repair process that occurs after chronic liver injury. It is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the liver， resulting in fibrous tissue hyperplasia， which may further develop into cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Currently， there is a lack of specific anti-HF drugs in clinical practice. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has advantages in the treatment of HF， including multi-component and multi-target interventions with high safety， and can significantly delay the progression of HF. It has therefore become a current research hotspot. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， as a key transcription factor involved in antioxidant stress， can effectively intervene in the progression of HF by activating the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes and detoxification genes. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which active components of Chinese medicine （such as flavonoids， polysaccharides， and saponins） and TCM compound prescriptions （such as Haobie Yangyin Ruanjian prescription and Biejia Xiaozheng pills） exert anti-fibrotic effects through activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway， including enhancing antioxidant capacity， inhibiting inflammatory responses， reducing hepatocyte apoptosis， improving mitochondrial function， and inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway. In addition， this article points out the current shortcomings in research based on the Nrf2 signaling pathway and proposes corresponding suggestions to promote related studies. It also provides an important theoretical basis for the development of novel anti-HF Chinese medicine targeting Nrf2.
