The Hepatoprotective Potential of Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Background: Liver diseases remain a major global health challenge with limited effective therapies. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a mitochondrial cofactor, has gained attention for its antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.Objective: To review the hepatoprotective potential of ALA based on preclinical and clinical evidence.Material and Methods: Studies were identified from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000–2025). Eligible preclinical and clinical studies reporting ALA dose and liver-related outcomes were included. Data were synthesized narratively.Results: Preclinical studies consistently show that ALA attenuates liver injury by improving liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological changes, typically at doses of 50–200 mg/kg in rodents. Clinical studies, mainly in MASLD and drug-induced liver injury, used doses of 300–1,200 mg/day and reported improvements in transaminases and insulin sensitivity. However, clinical evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and short durations.Conclusion: ALA demonstrates consistent hepatoprotective effects in preclinical models, while clinical evidence remains preliminary. Further well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm its therapeutic role.