To explore the pathogenesis and scientific connotation of non-alcoholic fatty liver based on the theory of turbid toxin of traditional Chinese medicine

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic liver disease characterized by the accumulation of excessive liver lipids without alcohol-induced damage. It has emerged as a significant global health issue. A recent research has indicated that dysregulation of lipid decomposition, uptake, production, oxidation, and secretion causes alterations in various types of lipids, leading to organelle dysfunction and metabolic signaling pathway impairment. Scholars propose that turbid toxin is crucial in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This article elucidates the meaning of turbid toxin in conjunction with the current literature and analyzes the modern pathophysiological mechanism underlying the development of NAFLD, including turbid toxic substance production, related organelle involvement, biological processes, and pathways, ultimately leading to disease outcomes. The relationship between traditional Chinese medicine and the turbid toxin is also explored to establish a foundation for further mechanistic research on NAFLD.