The possible pathogenesis of liver fibrosis: therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols

Department

Medicine

Additional Department

Gastroenterology

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Pharmacological Reports : PR

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is the formation of a fibrous scar resulting from chronic liver injury, independently from etiology. Although many of the mechanical details remain unknown, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central driver of liver fibrosis. Extracellular mechanisms such as apoptotic bodies, paracrine stimuli, inflammation, and oxidative stress are critical in activating HSCs. The potential for liver fibrosis to reverse after removing the causative agent has heightened interest in developing antifibrotic therapies. Polyphenols, the secondary plant metabolites, have gained attention because of their health-beneficial properties, including well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in the setting of liver fibrosis. In this review, we present an overview of the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis with a specific focus on the activation of resident HSCs. We highlight the therapeutic potential and promising role of natural polyphenols to mitigate liver fibrosis pathogenesis, focusing on HSCs activation. We also discuss the translational gap from preclinical findings to clinical treatments involved in natural polyphenols in liver fibrosis.

First Page

944

Last Page

961

DOI

10.1007/s43440-024-00638-w

Volume

76

Issue

5

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Polyphenols (pharmacology, therapeutic use); Liver Cirrhosis (drug therapy, pathology); Animals; Hepatic Stellate Cells (drug effects, metabolism); Antioxidants (pharmacology, therapeutic use); Oxidative Stress (drug effects); Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)

PubMed ID

39162986

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