Abstract
Alcohol-related harm remains a major global health concern, contributing to a significant number of preventable deaths each year. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption exerts both acute and long-term toxic effects on the liver, progressively impairing hepatic structure and function. Sustained overconsumption markedly increases the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (Moon et al., 2023). Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) frequently progresses without noticeable symptoms, leaving individuals unaware that the condition has advanced beyond a readily reversible stage. In both acute and chronic contexts, ALD typically begins with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and may progress to alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. Because the early stages are largely asymptomatic, diagnosis is often delayed, making early detection both critical and challenging, as initial signs of liver injury may go unnoticed. At present, complete abstinence from alcohol remains the primary and most effective strategy for managing alcoholic liver disease (ALD), as therapeutic medical options are limited. Natural products which are bioactive compounds derived from plants with well-characterized chemical structures have gained increasing attention for their potential role in disease management. Further investigation into these compounds may not only enhance understanding of their mechanisms of action, but also support the development of natural compound–based therapeutic strategies for ALD. Several naturally occurring substances, including hesperidin, berberine, and silymarin, have demonstrated hepatoprotective properties in ALD models, with favorable safety profiles and minimal reported adverse effects (Vrentzos et al., 2025).
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