Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) has become a surge burden worldwide due to its high prevalence, with complicated deterioration symptoms such as
liver fibrosis and
cancer. No effective drugs are available for NALFD so far. The rapid growth of clinical demand has prompted the treatment of
NAFLD to become a research hotspot.
Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a natural secondary metabolite commonly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbal medicine. It is also the major internal metabolites of
anthocyanins and other
polyphenols. In the present manuscript, food sources, metabolic absorption, and efficacy of PCA were summarized while analyzing its role in improving
NAFLD, as well as the mechanism involved. The results indicated that PCA could ameliorate
NAFLD by regulating
glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and
inflammation, gut microbiota and metabolites. It was proposed for the first time that PCA might reduce
NAFLD by enhancing the energy consumption of brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, the PCA administration mode and dose for
NAFLD remain inconclusive. Fresh insights into the specific molecular mechanisms are required, while clinical trials are essential in the future. This review provides new targets and reasoning for the clinical application of PCA in the prevention and treatment of
NAFLD.