Research Progress on Nanoformulations Based on Active Components from Traditional Chinese Medicine for MASLD

Zi-Xiu Gou, Ning-Wei Li, Jun-Yi Yao, Yun-Liang Wang Department of Gastroenterology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yun-Liang Wang, Department of Gastroenterology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 158 0143 4310, Email yunliang_wang@bucm.edu.cnAbstract: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease with rising prevalence and disease burden. However, despite recent therapeutic advances, effective and broadly applicable treatment options remain limited, prompting continued efforts to develop novel therapeutic agents. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has attracted growing interest in MASLD management because its bioactive compounds can target multiple pathogenic processes. However, many TCM-derived compounds are limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, and insufficient tissue specificity. Nanotechnology-based formulations enable controlled release and targeted delivery, offering a strategy to improve the utilization and therapeutic efficacy of TCM-derived active ingredients against MASLD. Based on a structured literature search across four databases, 45 representative studies were included and narratively synthesized according to nanoplatform type, design features, and mechanism-related therapeutic actions. Compared with previous broader reviews on TCM nanomedicine or MASLD-related nanotherapies, this review particularly emphasizes MASLD-oriented TCM nanoformulations from the perspectives of platform classification, design features, and mechanism-related therapeutic actions. We also discuss current challenges and future directions for clinical translation.Keywords: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, nanotechnology, Chinese herbal medicine, bioactive compounds, drug delivery