Research Progress on Natural Products Alleviating Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis via NF-κB Pathway

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a key pathological process in chronic liver diseases, regulated by various cytokines and signaling pathways. Among these, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays a significant role in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. Recently, natural products have garnered attention as potential anti-fibrotic agents. This review highlights recent studies on how natural products, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, phenylpropanoids, steroids, and nitrogen compounds, mitigate liver fibrosis by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Specifically, it examines how these natural products influence NF-κB activation, nuclear translocation, and downstream signaling, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses, reducing apoptosis, and regulating hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activity, ultimately achieving therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which natural products regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway can provide crucial theoretical foundations and valuable insights for the development of novel anti-fibrotic drugs.