The study explores the health benefits of Hawthorn extract, particularly focusing on liver diseases. Hawthorn extracts are found to be beneficial against liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. These effects are attributed to their ability to regulate oxidative stress, apoptosis (programmed cell death), AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) signaling, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are involved in liver fibrosis.
This research underlines significant advancements in understanding the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of Hawthorn extracts in liver disease management. The treatment with these extracts has shown positive effects in reversing liver-related abnormalities such as hepatic injury, steatosis (fat accumulation in liver cells), inflammation, and fibrosis. The study emphasizes the role of antioxidant mechanisms in controlling hepatic injury and steatosis, as well as the importance of antiapoptotic signaling and AMPK activation in improving hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Hawthorn extracts have potential therapeutic implications for treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), all of which are significant liver conditions. However, the study suggests that more comprehensive research is needed to fully understand these benefits and their applicability in clinical practice.
Original Publication:
Kim, E.-J., Jang, E., & Lee, J.-H. (2022). Potential Roles and Key Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extract against Various Liver Diseases. Nutrients, 14(4), 867.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040867
