Repairing mitochondrial dysfunction: potential mechanisms of natural products in the treatment of NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as MAFLD, is a chronic liver disease characterized by dyslipidemia and excessive steatosis in hepatocytes[1]. With the acceleration of urbanization, the problems of physical activity reduction and nutritional imbalance are becoming increasingly prominent. The prevalence of NAFLD has reached 25% globally[2], and it is also showing a trend of continuous growth and younger onset age[3]. Although numerous studies have confirmed that the pathogenesis of NAFLD may be related to genetic susceptibility, gene polymorphism, intestinal microenvironment disorder, insulin resistance, and other factors[4], the "two-hit" theory also reveals the mechanism of the occurrence of some NAFLD, there is still a lack of effective and stable drugs that can inhibit the progression of NAFLD to liver fibrosis and even liver cancer in the treatment of NAFLD[5], which poses a serious threat to human health and imposes a heavy burden on the socio-economy[6]. It is particularly important to further explore the etiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD, providing ideas and directions for the development of new drugs against NAFLD[7].