Research Progress on the Therapeutic Effect of Polysaccharides on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through the Regulation of the Gut–Liver Axis

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease affecting global public health at present, which can induce cirrhosis and liver cancer in serious cases. However, NAFLD is a multifactorial disease, and there is still a lack of research on its mechanism and therapeutic strategy. With the development of the gut–liver axis theory, the association between the gut–liver axis and the pathogenesis of NAFLD has been gradually disclosed. Polysaccharides, as a kind of natural product, have the advantages of low toxicity, multi-target and multi-pathway action. It has been reported that polysaccharides can affect the gut–liver axis at multiple interrelated levels, such as maintaining the ecological balance of gut microbiota (GM), regulating the metabolites of GM and improving the intestinal barrier function, which thereby plays a protective role in NAFLD. These studies have great scientific significance in understanding NAFLD based on the gut–liver axis and developing safe and effective medical treatments. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress of polysaccharides in improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the gut–liver axis.