Researchers discovered how a traditional Chinese herbal formula called Lipi Jiangzhuo decoction might help treat a serious liver condition called MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), which develops when people gain excess weight and fat builds up in their liver. Using laboratory tests and mice, scientists found that this herbal mixture works by activating three protective pathways in liver cells that reduce harmful fat buildup, decrease inflammation, and prevent cell damage. Since many Asian countries don’t have approved medications for this condition yet, this traditional medicine could offer a new treatment option if further human studies confirm these promising results.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a traditional Chinese herbal formula can treat fatty liver disease by protecting liver cells from damage and reducing inflammation
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet to mimic human fatty liver disease, plus liver cells grown in dishes to test the herbal formula’s effects
  • Key finding: The herbal formula successfully reduced liver fat, improved liver function, lowered inflammation, and activated three protective mechanisms in liver cells that prevent cell death and damage
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a traditional herbal approach might help treat fatty liver disease, but human studies are needed before people can use it as a treatment. If you have fatty liver disease, talk to your doctor about all available options.

The Research Details

Scientists created a fatty liver disease model in mice by feeding them a high-fat diet combined with stress and exercise fatigue for 12 weeks. They then treated some mice with the herbal formula and measured changes in liver health, inflammation, and fat content. To understand how the formula works, they also tested it on liver cells grown in laboratory dishes, using special stains and protein measurements to track what happened inside the cells at a microscopic level.

The researchers specifically looked at three cellular protection systems: one that removes damaged parts of cells (mitophagy), one that prevents harmful iron buildup (ferroptosis), and one that manages cellular stress (ER stress). They used various laboratory techniques including protein analysis, cell imaging, and chemical measurements to track these processes.

To prove the formula worked through these specific pathways, scientists blocked each pathway one at a time and showed that the herbal formula’s benefits disappeared when these protective systems couldn’t work properly.

This research approach is important because it doesn’t just show that the herbal formula helps—it explains exactly how it works at the cellular level. Understanding the mechanism helps scientists determine if this treatment could work in humans and how to use it safely and effectively.

This study used both living organisms (mice) and laboratory cell cultures, which strengthens the findings. The researchers used multiple measurement techniques to verify their results. However, the study was conducted in animals and cells, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The sample size for the animal studies wasn’t specified in the abstract, which makes it harder to assess reliability. More human clinical trials would be needed before this becomes an approved treatment.

What the Results Show

In mice treated with the herbal formula, researchers observed significant improvements across multiple measures of liver health. Body weight decreased, blood fat levels dropped, and liver function improved compared to untreated mice with fatty liver disease. When examining liver tissue under a microscope, treated mice showed much less fat accumulation in liver cells and less overall tissue damage.

In laboratory liver cells, the herbal formula triggered three protective mechanisms simultaneously. First, it reduced harmful iron and dangerous molecules called free radicals that damage cells. Second, it boosted production of a protective protein called GPx4 and increased glutathione (a natural cellular protectant), while also improving damaged mitochondria (the cell’s energy factories). Third, it activated a cleanup system called mitophagy that removes damaged mitochondria before they cause problems.

The formula also reduced cellular stress by lowering a stress-response protein called PERK. When researchers artificially turned on this stress response, the herbal formula’s protective effects weakened, proving that reducing this stress was essential to how the formula works.

The research showed that all three protective pathways work together as a connected system. When scientists blocked one pathway, the formula’s benefits in the other pathways also decreased. This suggests the herbal formula’s success depends on activating all three mechanisms together rather than just one. The formula also reduced inflammatory markers in the blood, indicating it calms the immune system’s overreaction in fatty liver disease.

This study builds on previous research showing that cellular stress, damaged mitochondria, and harmful iron accumulation all contribute to fatty liver disease. However, this is one of the first comprehensive studies explaining how a traditional Chinese herbal formula addresses all three problems simultaneously. While a newer drug called resmetirom was recently approved in some countries, many Asian patients still lack treatment options, making this research particularly relevant for those populations.

The biggest limitation is that this research was conducted in mice and laboratory cells, not humans. Animal studies don’t always translate to human results due to differences in metabolism and body systems. The study didn’t specify how many mice were used, making it difficult to assess statistical reliability. The research also didn’t compare the herbal formula directly to other treatments or to the approved drug resmetirom. Additionally, the study didn’t test different doses or treatment durations, so optimal dosing for humans remains unknown. Long-term safety and effectiveness in humans have not been evaluated.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, the herbal formula shows promise as a potential treatment for fatty liver disease, but it’s too early to recommend it as a standard treatment. Current confidence level: Low to Moderate (preliminary evidence from animal/cell studies). If human clinical trials confirm these results, this could become a valuable treatment option, especially for patients in countries without access to approved medications. Anyone with fatty liver disease should continue working with their healthcare provider on proven approaches like weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes while this research advances.

This research is most relevant for people with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those in Asian countries with limited treatment options. Healthcare providers and researchers studying traditional Chinese medicine should also pay attention. People should NOT stop current treatments or self-treat with unverified herbal formulas based on this single study. Those interested in traditional medicine approaches to liver health may find this encouraging but should wait for human studies.

In the mice studied, improvements appeared after 12 weeks of treatment. If this translates to humans, similar timeframes might be expected, but this is speculative. Human clinical trials would need to establish realistic timelines for seeing benefits. Most liver health improvements typically require consistent effort over months to see meaningful changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track liver health markers monthly: weight, waist circumference, energy levels, and any digestive symptoms. If pursuing treatment, monitor blood work results for liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and triglyceride levels as recommended by your doctor.
  • Use the app to log daily habits that support liver health: minutes of exercise, servings of vegetables, water intake, and sleep quality. Set reminders for consistent meal timing and track weight trends weekly to monitor progress toward a healthier weight.
  • Create a monthly health dashboard showing weight trends, energy levels, and any symptoms. If participating in a clinical trial or treatment, sync with your healthcare provider’s recommended testing schedule to track liver function improvements over time.

This research describes promising laboratory and animal study results for a traditional Chinese herbal formula, but human clinical trials have not yet been conducted. This formula is not currently an approved medical treatment in most countries. If you have fatty liver disease or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including herbal supplements. Do not replace proven treatments (weight loss, exercise, dietary changes) with unverified herbal formulas. Some herbal products can interact with medications or cause side effects. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.