A transdisciplinary framework for managing metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rapidly emerging as a public health issue across the globe. Its complex etiopathology and association with diverse comorbidities poses significant challenges to conventional pharmacological drugs derived from the “ lock-and-key ” paradigm of pharmacology. To overcome the challenges of complexity and non-linear dynamics underlying the disease biology of MASLD, this article proposes a transdisciplinary framework combining holistic disease management principles of traditional medicines with molecular precision of modern biomedicine. Ayurveda - an exceptionally designed and widely practiced Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) - is explored as a representative model for this framework. This article outlines a unified, biologically plausible transdisciplinary approach incorporating dual-diagnostic workflows, integrative decision interface, and stage-adaptive management algorithm for prevention, early intervention, and advanced disease care. The framework emphasizes integrative and personalized strategies integrating nutrition, lifestyle modification and drug interventions, harnessing the molecular precision of biomedicine alongside the systemic effects of phytochemical diversity. The transdisciplinary model seeks to shift the focus from ‘disease treatment’ to ‘health restoration’ and long-term wellness. The article highlights the scopes and challenges of this framework to offer more comprehensive, sustainable, and patient-centred solutions for MASLD.