Research Progress on the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Gut-Liver Axis

Abstract

The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. Existing treatment strategies primarily focus on lifestyle interventions and the management of metabolic syndrome, with notable limitations in their efficacy and sustainability. The TCM concept that “the liver is connected with the large intestine” succinctly captures the close relationship between the liver and the intestines, aligning with the modern medical theory of the “gut-liver axis.” This paper analyzes the theoretical basis of the gut-liver axis from both TCM and Western medicine perspectives. It elucidates the physiological connections between the liver and intestines in Western medicine and the pathological evolution mechanisms in TCM. By reviewing recent research progress on the prevention and treatment of NAFLD with TCM based on the gut-liver axis theory, this analysis provides a solid theoretical foundation and an in-depth research perspective for developing TCM strategies for NAFLD from the gut-liver axis viewpoint.