Editorial: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): innovative management strategies using herbal medicines

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), constitutes a substantial and growing global health burden, affecting approximately one-third of the adult population (https://doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330595). Despite its high prevalence and progressive nature, current therapeutic strategies remain markedly limited, highlighting a critical demand for innovative treatment approaches. Within this context, herbal medicines emerge as a promising direction for exploration. These natural interventions benefit from centuries of well-documented traditional application and exhibit multi-target therapeutic potential that aligns with the complex pathophysiology of MAFLD. This research topic, "Metabolic