Mangiferin, a natural polyphenol found primarily in mango leaves, has been investigated for its potential benefits in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Preclinical studies, mainly involving animal models and cell cultures, suggest that mangiferin may exert hepatoprotective effects through several mechanisms: it acts as an antioxidant, reduces inflammation, and improves insulin sensitivity—factors all implicated in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease. For instance, studies in mice fed with high-fat diets have shown that mangiferin supplementation can reduce hepatic lipid accumulation and decrease markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Mangiferin has also been found to modulate lipid metabolism by influencing gene expression related to fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in the liver.

However, clinical evidence in humans is currently limited. There are few, if any, well-designed randomized controlled trials directly evaluating mangiferin's effects on NAFLD in humans. Most of the supportive data come from preclinical research, and while these results are promising, they do not yet constitute high-level scientific validation. Therefore, while mangiferin is sometimes suggested as a supportive ingredient for fatty liver disease based on mechanistic rationale and animal model outcomes, its use for this purpose in humans should be considered preliminary until more robust clinical data are available.