(P26-029-25) Evaluating Current Evidence for Bioactive Substances and Their Therapeutic Applications for Hepatic Health: A Scoping Review

Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic condition affecting a broad population. This review aimed to identify and summarize the current evidence on bioactive substance-based interventions for adults with MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), covering publications from 2000 to 2023.

Methods: A search was conducted across six databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Food Science Source, and SPORTDiscus) for randomized controlled trials and other study types (e.g., prospective cohort studies, systematic reviews), reflecting the scoping nature of this review. The search was limited to studies in adults (18+ years), with an intervention of interest and at least one comparator group. The publication date range included studies from January 1, 2000, up to October 12, 2023.

Results: A total of 4,707 articles were retrieved, with 247 full-text articles screened for eligibility. Of these, 131 primary studies and 49 systematic reviews were included in the scoping review. The most studied bioactive substances were Curcumin (Turmeric) (n=25), Silymarin (Milk Thistle) (n=17), Resveratrol (n=10), Coffee (n=7), Green Tea (n=5) and Nigella sativa (n=4). Additional bioactives with three studies each included Berberine, Camelina sativa, Citrus bergamia, Cornus mas L., and Garlic. Moreover, 48 studies reported on 43 other bioactives with 2 or fewer articles each. Among the included systematic reviews, 13 focused on Curcumin, 12 on Coffee or Tea, 10 on bioactive substance combinations, 6 on Resveratrol, and 2 each on Silymarin and Artichoke Leaf. Other bioactives with 1 article each included Ginger, Soy, Garlic and Caper fruit. Included studies showed substantial heterogeneity in reported outcomes, which primarily focused on hepatic health, body weight, adverse events, glycemic control, blood lipids, and body composition.

Conclusions: This scoping review highlights a range of bioactive substances used in the prevention and treatment of MASLD. While evidence is abundant for bioactive substance like Curcumin and Silymarin, further research is necessary to establish the clinical efficacy of all bioactive substances.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by Brightseed Bioactives via Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic Foundation.