Open AccessNonalcoholic fatty liver disease: The role of quercetin and its therapeutic implications
Author(s) -
Maria Sotiropoulou,
Ioannis Katsaros,
Michail Vailas,
Irene Lidoriki,
George Papatheodoridis,
Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos,
Georgia Valsami,
Alexandra Tsaroucha,
Dimitrios Schizas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the saudi journal of gastroenterology/saudi journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1998-4049
pISSN - 1319-3767
DOI - 10.4103/sjg.sjg_249_21
Subject(s) - nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , medicine , quercetin , disease , fatty liver , oxidative stress , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , chronic liver disease , liver disease , population , insulin resistance , flavonoid , pharmacology , bioinformatics , endocrinology , biochemistry , antioxidant , biology , cirrhosis , environmental health
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting almost one-third of the general population and 75% of obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this article is to review the current evidence concerning the role of quercetin, a natural compound and flavonoid, and its possible therapeutic effects on this modern-day disease. Despite the fact that the exact pathophysiological mechanisms through which quercetin has a hepatoprotective effect on NAFLD are still not fully elucidated, this review clearly demonstrates that this flavonoid has potent antioxidative stress action and inhibitory effects on hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammation, and generation of reactive oxygen species, factors which are linked to the development of the disease. NAFLD is closely associated with increased dietary fat consumption, especially in Western countries. The hepatoprotective effect of quercetin against NAFLD merits serious consideration and further validation by future studies.