Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis: The Mechanism of Cellular Autophagy

Liver cirrhosis is a critical stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases, often leading to severe complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and a high mortality rate, and it thus poses a serious threat to patient life. The activation of hepatic stellate cells is a central driver of disease progression. Cellular autophagy, a lysosome-mediated degradation process, plays a key role in maintaining cellular function and dynamic homeostasis. Research has shown that autophagy is closely associated with proteins like LC3, Beclin-1, P62, and mTOR, and is regulated through signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, and AMPK/mTOR. Additionally, the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, as well as between autophagy and exosomes, has been further demonstrated. While modern medicine has made progress in treating cirrhosis, it still faces significant limitations. By contrast, numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating liver cirrhosis by regulating autophagy, with fewer adverse effects. Chinese herbal monomers and formulations can modulate various autophagy-related signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, and AMPK/mTOR, and influence key autophagy proteins such as LC3 and Beclin-1. This modulation inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation, reduces extracellular matrix deposition, and exerts anticirrhotic effects. Moreover, Chinese medicine appears to reduce adverse reactions in cirrhosis treatment and lower the risk of disease recurrence. This review explores the mechanisms of autophagy in the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis through Chinese medicine, offering new insights for the development of Chinese medicinal therapies for cirrhosis and their rational clinical application.