Research Advances on Natural Polysaccharides in the Prevention and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease via the “Gut-Liver Axis”

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains a globally prevalent hepatic disorder requiring safer and more effective therapeutic approaches. Natural polysaccharides, with their low toxicity and multi-target bioactive properties, show particular promise in modulating the “gut-liver axis” to mitigate ALD progression. Research indicates these compounds exert hepatoprotective effects through multiple mechanisms: they reduce hepatic oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals while activating antioxidant pathways and inhibiting inflammatory signaling cascades. Simultaneously, polysaccharides preserve intestinal barrier integrity by reshaping gut microbiota ecology, stimulating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and upregulating tight junction protein expression. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on how natural polysaccharides alleviate ALD through “gut-liver axis” regulation, offering mechanistic insights that could inform future therapeutic development.