Liver inflammation is frequently linked to oxidative stress and dysregulation of bile acid and fatty acid metabolism. This review focuses on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a critical regulator of bile acid homeostasis, and its interaction with the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key modulator of cellular defense against oxidative stress. The review explores the interplay between FXR and Nrf2 in liver inflammatory diseases, highlighting the potential therapeutic effects of natural FXR agonists. Specifically, compounds such as auraptene, cafestol, curcumin, fargesone A, hesperidin, lycopene, oleanolic acid, resveratrol, rutin, ursolic acid, and withaferin A are reviewed for their ability to modulate both the FXR and Nrf2 pathways. This article discusses their potential to alleviate liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage in diseases such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cholestatic liver injury, and viral hepatitis. In addition, we address the molecular mechanisms driving liver inflammation, including oxidative stress, immune responses, and bile acid accumulation, while also summarizing relevant experimental models. This review emphasizes the promising therapeutic potential of targeting both the Nrf2 and FXR pathways using natural compounds, paving the way for future treatments for liver diseases. Finally, the limitations of the clinical application were indicated, and further research directions were proposed.

Chalcones are a type of natural flavonoid compound that have been found to possess promising anticancer properties. Studies have shown that chalcones can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and suppress tumor angiogenesis. In addition to their potential therapeutic applications, chalcones have also been studied for their chemopreventive effects, which involve reducing the risk of cancer development in healthy individuals. Overall, the anticancer properties of chalcones make them a promising area of research for developing new cancer treatments and preventative strategies. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the central studies reported in the literature concerning cancer prevention and the treatment of chalcones. Although chalcones target many different mechanisms, the STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways are the ones this review will focus on, highlighting the existing crosstalk between these two pathways and considering the potential therapeutic opportunities for chalcone combinations.

Fisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a naturally occurring flavonol in fruits and vegetables. It exhibits diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, senolytic, and lipid-lowering properties. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying fisetin’s hepatoprotective effects and evaluates its potential application in Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease (IFALD), a severe complication associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). IFALD is characterized by inflammation, cholestasis, steatosis, oxidative stress, and dysregulated lipid and bile acid metabolism. Fisetin modulates several key signaling pathways, including NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, and SIRT1, leading to reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and improved lipid homeostasis. Fisetin shows potential anti-fibrotic and microbiota-modulating effects. More importantly, fisetin is recognized as a potent senolytic agent, selectively activating pro-apoptotic pathways in senescent cells, which are known sources of inflammation and tissue damage. However, despite its promising pharmacological profile, the poor bioavailability of fisetin remains a significant limitation, particularly for parenteral use. Emerging drug delivery systems such as liposomes and nanoparticles offer potential solutions. Given its broad spectrum of beneficial effects and favorable safety profile, fisetin represents a compelling candidate for future studies in the prevention and management of IFALD.

The dysregulation of energetic metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Indeed, the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells depends heavily on glycolytic activity, which can be considered a potential therapeutic target. Wnt signaling is one of the pathways that undergoes upregulation in HNSCC. Our previous studies have shown that Wnt signaling inhibitors—PRI-724 and IWP-O1—attenuate tongue SCC survival and reduce glucose uptake and lactate release. The aim of this research was to further evaluate the possible mechanisms of the previously observed effects. We assessed the effect of PRI-724 and IWP-O1 on the expression of selected glycolytic enzymes: phosphofructokinase M, pyruvate kinase M2, and lactate dehydrogenase. Relative transcript expression was assessed by real-time PCR, and protein levels by Western blot. Moreover, clinical data concerning mRNA and protein expression, gene promoter methylation, and HNSCC patients’ survival time were analyzed by the UALCAN tool, and protein–protein interaction was assessed using the STRING database. Experimental and bioinformatic data confirmed the relation between Wnt signaling and glycolytic enzymes in tongue cancer cells and HNSCC clinical samples. Overall, the inhibition of glucose metabolism by Wnt signaling inhibitors is a promising mode of action against tongue cancer cells.

Background: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) is a serious complication in patients receiving parenteral nutrition, often exacerbated by inflammation, lipid overload, and oxidative stress. Nobiletin (NOB), a polymethoxylated flavone, is known for its anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating properties. Methods: We employed an in vitro model using THLE-2 human hepatocytes and primary human cholangiocytes exposed to Intralipid (INT) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate IFALD conditions. NOB was tested at non-toxic concentrations (10 and 25 µM) to assess its protective effects. MTT viability assays, multiplex bead-based immunoassays (MAGPIX), RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were used to evaluate changes in inflammation markers, gene expression, and protein signaling. Moreover, ALT and AST activities were used to assess hepatocellular injury. Results: NOB maintained high cell viability in THLE-2 hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, confirming its low cytotoxicity. NOB normalized ALT and AST activities in both tested cell lines, but the effect reached statistical significance only for ALT in cholangiocytes. Under IFALD-like conditions (LPS+INT), NOB significantly preserved metabolic activity in both cell types. In THLE-2 and cholangiocytes, NOB markedly reduced the phosphorylation of pro-inflammatory proteins JNK, NF-κB, and STAT3, indicating a broad inhibition of inflammatory signaling. Moreover, in THLE-2 cells, NOB upregulated lipid metabolism-related genes (PRKAA2, CYP7A1, and ABCA1) and decreased oxidative stress, thereby enhancing the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and increasing SOD1 level, which supports the activation of antioxidant defenses. Conclusions: NOB exhibits hepatoprotective properties under IFALD-like conditions in vitro, likely through modulation of inflammation-related signaling and lipid metabolism pathways.

Intestinal dysfunction and parenteral nutrition (PN) can trigger a spectrum of liver disorders collectively referred to as intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), for which therapeutic options remain limited. In the present study, we investigated the modulatory effects of the bioactive xanthophyll carotenoid lutein in an in vitro IFALD model utilizing human THLE-2 hepatocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide and Intralipid to mimic PN–associated inflammatory and metabolic stress. Because lutein is poorly water-soluble and patients receiving PN lack enteral intake of this compound, we also evaluated the cyto- and hemocompatibility of a human serum albumin–based lutein nanoformulation developed to enable intravenous administration. A bead-based multiplex immunoassay revealed that lutein attenuated dysregulation of inflammatory and metabolic signaling by modulating total and phosphorylated levels of MAPKs, NF-κB, Akt, STAT5, CREB, and p70S6K. Lutein also affected lipid metabolism–related gene expression, decreasing SREBF2 and restoring ABCA1 and PRKAA2 mRNA toward control levels, as determined by qPCR. Nanoformulated lutein, with a mean particle size of approximately 160 nm, was non-toxic in THLE-2 cells and exhibited hemocompatibility in a human erythrocyte hemolysis assay. Together, our findings provide both biological and technological rationale for further exploration of lutein-based strategies to mitigate IFALD in patients receiving PN.