Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates AMPK Signaling Pathway to Prevent and Treat Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251538
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控AMPK信号通路防治非酒精性脂肪性肝病的研究进展
- Author:
Lijuan DAN
1
;
Shuanglan CHEN
1
;
Tianyuan WANG
2
;
Xiaojie YOU
1
;
Xiuyan LI
1
;
Hongfei SONG
1
;
Dong WANG
1
;
Jie MU
1
;
Qiao LI
3
Author Information
1. Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）， Chengdu 611137，China
2. Chengdu 363 Hospital， Chengdu 610041，China
3. The Third Affiliated Hospital （West）， Chengdu University of TCM， Chengdu 611730，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）;
traditional Chinese medicine;
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
mechanism of action;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(14):133-143
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is one of the most prevalent forms of liver diseases globally. Its progression can lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease， and there is currently a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， as a regulatory hub for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis， can coordinate key cellular processes such as adipogenesis， glucose metabolism， and mitochondrial functions. Its activation exerts metabolic regulatory effects through pathways including inhibiting lipogenesis， enhancing mitochondrial β-oxidation， regulating inflammation and oxidative stress， and promoting autophagy. Accordingly， AMPK emerges as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM）， with low toxicity， high accessibility， and multi-component， multi-target synergistic effects， has demonstrated unique value in NAFLD treatment， particularly showing notable advantages in regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. Sichuan is known as the treasure house of TCM， and the active components of its authentic medicinal materials such as Coptidis Rhizoma not only reflect regional characteristics in AMPK signaling regulation but also form a multi-level metabolic regulatory network through crosstalk with pathways such as sirtuin 1 （SIRT1） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）. They can achieve specific regulation by directly activating AMPK and modulating upstream and downstream targets， exerting prominent effects in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This study systematically reviews the research findings on TCM for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD over the past five years， elaborating the mechanisms by which TCM treats NAFLD through regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. It aims to provide new perspectives and references for clinical diagnosis and treatment， basic research， and drug development.
