Comparing Allopathic and Herbal Treatments in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Novel Review of Emerging Phytopharmacological Interventions
Keywords:
N\AAbstract
Objective: To contrast traditional allopathic treatments with newer herbal and phytopharmacological therapies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a syndrome often occurring with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Methodology: A narrative, PRISMA-guided PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar search (January 2015 – May 2025) was performed using "NAFLD," "NASH," "allopathic treatment," "herbal medicine," and "phytopharmacology." Peer-reviewed English human, animal, or in-vitro articles were included; non-NAFLD liver diseases and non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded. Two reviewers screened titles/abstracts independently, resolved disagreements by consensus, and extracted data on intervention type, dosage, duration, outcomes, mechanisms, and adverse effects.
Results: Allopathic drugs—pioglitazone, vitamin E, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT-2 inhibitors—enhance liver enzymes and histology but are hampered by single-pathway action and side effects. Herbal alternatives like Silybum marianum, berberine, curcumin, and Phyllanthus niruri have multitarget antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing actions with fewer adverse events, but are plagued by inconsistent standardization and limited high-quality trials.
Conclusion: A combination of lifestyle change, evidence-based drugs, and strictly proven phytopharmacological compounds could provide an enhanced NAFLD approach. Well-designed large clinical trials are necessary to prove the safety and efficacy of these herbal agents and allow them to be incorporated into regular care regimens.
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