OXIDATIVE STRESS AND LIVER DISORDERS: ROLE OF NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS WITH EMPHASIS ON COCOA BIOACTIVES

The pathophysiology and development of a number of liver diseases, including as alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, liver fibrosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are significantly influenced by oxidative stress. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) throws off the cellular redox equilibrium, resulting in inflammation, hepatocellular damage, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. While traditional pharmacotherapy can alleviate symptoms, it frequently falls short in addressing oxidative damage and can have negative side effects. Consequently, natural antioxidants have drawn more interest as possible hepatoprotective agents. This study assesses the therapeutic potential of natural antioxidants, with a focus on cocoa bioactives, and highlights the most recent data about the role of oxidative stress in liver illnesses. For papers published between 2000 and 2025, a thorough literature search was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Included were preclinical, clinical, and experimental research on antioxidant-mediated hepatoprotection. Natural antioxidants have been shown to reduce liver damage by scavenging free radicals, improving endogenous antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), modifying inflammatory pathways, and lowering fibrosis. In experimental models of liver damage, cocoa bioactives particularly flavonoids like epicatechin, catechin, and procyanidins show notable lipid-modulating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. All things considered, polyphenols produced from cocoa are intriguing nutraceutical candidates for treating liver illnesses caused by oxidative stress; nonetheless, extensive clinical research are required to verify their safety, effectiveness, and ideal therapeutic dosage.