Targeting lipid droplets and lipid droplet-associated proteins: a new perspective on natural compounds against metabolic diseases

Lipid droplet (LD) is a metabolically active organelle, which changes dynamically with the metabolic state and energy requirements of cells. Proteins that either insert into the LD phospholipid monolayer or are present in the cytoplasm, playing a crucial role in lipid homeostasis and signaling regulation, are known as LD-associated proteins.

The keywords “lipid droplets” and “metabolic diseases” were used to obtain literature on LD metabolism and pathological mechanism. After searching databases including Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, and PubMed from 2013 to 2024 using terms like “lipid droplets”, “lipid droplet-associated proteins”, “fatty liver disease”, “diabetes”, “diabetic kidney disease”, “obesity”, “atherosclerosis”, “hyperlipidemia”, “natural drug monomers” and “natural compounds”, the most common natural compounds were identified in about 954 articles. Eventually, a total of 91 studies of 10 natural compounds reporting in vitro or in vivo studies were refined and summarized.

The most frequently used natural compounds include Berberine, Mangostin, Capsaicin, Caffeine, Genistein, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, Chlorogenic acid, Betaine, Ginsenoside, Resveratrol. These natural compounds interact with LD-associated proteins and help ameliorate abnormal LDs in various metabolic diseases.

Natural compounds involved in the regulation of LDs and LD-associated proteins hold promise for treating metabolic diseases. Further research into these interactions may lead to new therapeutic applications.