Therapeutic Potential of Nutraceuticals against Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Semin Liver Dis. 2024 Nov;44(4):430-456. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1791559. Epub 2024 Oct 11.

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) continues to be a major concern in clinical practice, thus necessitating a need for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate its impact on hepatic function. This review investigates the therapeutic potential of nutraceuticals against DILI, focusing on examining the underlying molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways. In preclinical and clinical studies, nutraceuticals, such as silymarin, curcumin, and N-acetylcysteine, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in attenuating liver injury induced by diverse pharmaceutical agents. The molecular mechanisms underlying these hepatoprotective effects involve modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, this review examines cellular routes affected by these nutritional components focusing on their influence on hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and stellate cells. Key evidence highlights that autophagy modulation as well as unfolded protein response are essential cellular processes through which nutraceuticals exert their cytoprotective functions. In conclusion, nutraceuticals are emerging as promising therapeutic agents for mitigating DILI, by targeting different molecular pathways along with cell processes involved in it concurrently.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / prevention & control
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Curcumin
  • Antioxidants