Researchers studied a traditional Chinese herbal medicine called Ge-Lian Qi-Shen decoction to understand how it helps treat fatty liver disease. Using mice fed a high-fat diet, they found that this herbal formula works by activating special sensors in the gut that trigger the release of a helpful hormone called GLP-1. The formula also changes the balance of bacteria in the gut, which produces beneficial compounds that further boost GLP-1 levels. These combined effects helped reduce liver fat, improve blood sugar control, and lower cholesterol in the mice. While these results are promising, human studies are still needed to confirm whether this traditional remedy could help people with fatty liver disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a traditional Chinese herbal formula called Ge-Lian Qi-Shen decoction helps treat fatty liver disease by boosting a hormone that controls blood sugar and appetite
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet to mimic fatty liver disease in humans, plus specialized intestinal cells grown in dishes to test how the herbs work
  • Key finding: The herbal formula activated special sensors in the gut that triggered release of GLP-1 hormone, which reduced liver fat, improved blood sugar control, and lowered cholesterol in mice in a dose-dependent manner
  • What it means for you: This research suggests traditional herbal medicine may work through modern biological pathways to help with fatty liver disease, but human clinical trials are needed before people should consider using it as a treatment

The Research Details

Scientists created fatty liver disease in mice by feeding them a high-fat diet, then gave them different doses of the herbal formula for 4 weeks. They measured changes in liver fat, blood sugar, cholesterol, and hormone levels using standard laboratory tests. They also grew human intestinal cells in dishes and exposed them to the herbal formula to see how it worked at the cellular level. Finally, they analyzed the bacteria living in the mice’s guts and transplanted these bacteria into other mice to test whether the gut bacteria were responsible for some of the benefits.

The researchers used advanced technology called UPLC-MS/MS to identify 24 different compounds in the herbal formula and tested which ones activated specific cellular sensors. They also used genetic testing (16S rDNA sequencing) to map changes in gut bacteria and measured beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids that bacteria produce.

This multi-layered approach allowed them to trace the path from herbal compounds → gut sensors → hormone release → health improvements, providing a detailed picture of how the medicine works.

Understanding exactly how traditional medicines work helps scientists determine whether they’re truly effective and safe. This research bridges ancient healing practices with modern biology, showing that traditional formulas may activate the same biological pathways that modern medications target. This approach could lead to new treatments based on natural compounds.

Strengths: The study used multiple complementary methods (cell studies, animal models, genetic analysis, and bacterial transplants) to confirm findings from different angles. The researchers identified specific compounds and their targets, making results more credible. Limitations: This is animal research only—results in mice don’t always translate to humans. The study didn’t include a control group receiving standard NAFLD treatments for comparison. Sample sizes for individual experiments weren’t clearly reported. The herbal formula contains many compounds, making it difficult to know which ones matter most.

What the Results Show

The herbal formula improved all major signs of fatty liver disease in mice. Liver fat decreased, blood sugar control improved (shown by better glucose tolerance tests), and cholesterol levels dropped—all in a dose-dependent way, meaning higher doses worked better. The formula increased levels of GLP-1, a hormone that helps control appetite and blood sugar.

When researchers gave mice a single dose of the formula, GLP-1 levels rose quickly, and this rise was necessary for the improvements in blood sugar control. In lab-grown intestinal cells, the herbal formula activated two types of cellular sensors: bitter taste receptors and TGR5 receptors. These activated sensors triggered calcium to flow into cells, which signaled them to release more GLP-1.

The researchers identified which compounds in the formula activated which sensors. Seven compounds (berberine, coptisine, nuciferine, liensinine, higenamine, aurantio-obtusin, and obtusifolin) activated bitter taste receptors, while two compounds (maslinic acid and cycloastragenol) activated TGR5 receptors.

The herbal formula changed the composition of gut bacteria in beneficial ways. Levels of two beneficial bacteria types (Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia) increased. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids—compounds with names like butyrate and propionate that have anti-inflammatory effects. These fatty acids activated additional cellular sensors (GPR41) in the colon, which further boosted GLP-1 production. When researchers transplanted gut bacteria from treated mice into untreated mice, the untreated mice showed partial improvement in GLP-1 levels and fatty liver disease symptoms, proving that changing gut bacteria contributes to the formula’s benefits.

GLP-1 is already known to help with blood sugar control and weight management—it’s the same hormone targeted by popular diabetes and weight-loss medications. This research shows that traditional herbal medicine may activate the same biological pathways as modern drugs. Previous studies suggested this herbal formula helped with fatty liver disease symptoms, but this is the first detailed explanation of how it works. The finding that gut bacteria play a role aligns with growing scientific evidence that the bacteria in our digestive system influence metabolism and liver health.

This research was conducted entirely in mice and lab cells—results may not apply to humans. The study didn’t compare the herbal formula to standard treatments or to a placebo in mice, making it unclear how effective it is relative to existing options. The formula contains many compounds, and while researchers identified which ones activate specific sensors, they didn’t test whether using just those compounds would work as well as the whole formula. The study didn’t examine potential side effects or safety concerns. Long-term effects weren’t studied—only 4 weeks of treatment was tested. The exact doses used in mice may not translate to appropriate human doses.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, people should NOT start using this herbal formula to treat fatty liver disease without medical supervision. The evidence is promising but limited to animal studies. Anyone with fatty liver disease should work with their doctor on proven treatments like weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes. If interested in herbal approaches, discuss options with a healthcare provider familiar with both conventional and traditional medicine. Confidence level: Low to Moderate—animal research is encouraging but human clinical trials are essential before making treatment recommendations.

This research is most relevant to: people with fatty liver disease or metabolic syndrome who are interested in natural treatment options; researchers studying how traditional medicines work; pharmaceutical companies looking for new drug targets; healthcare providers treating metabolic disorders. This research should NOT be used by people to self-treat fatty liver disease without medical guidance. People taking diabetes or weight-loss medications should not add herbal supplements without consulting their doctor, as interactions are possible.

In the mice studied, benefits appeared within 4 weeks of treatment. If this translates to humans, people might expect to see improvements in blood work (liver enzymes, cholesterol, blood sugar) within 4-8 weeks, though this is speculative. Liver fat reduction typically takes longer—probably 8-12 weeks minimum. However, these timelines are estimates based on animal research and may not apply to humans.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in fatty liver disease management could track: weekly weight, monthly liver enzyme blood tests (ALT, AST), fasting blood sugar levels, and cholesterol panels. If using any herbal supplements, log daily intake with dates and amounts to correlate with health markers.
  • Rather than focusing on unproven herbal remedies, the app could help users implement proven fatty liver disease treatments: log daily exercise (aim for 150 minutes weekly), track dietary changes (reduce refined carbs and saturated fats), monitor alcohol consumption (eliminate if possible), and record weight loss progress. These evidence-based changes directly address fatty liver disease.
  • Set up quarterly health tracking with blood work results to monitor liver enzymes (ALT, AST), fasting glucose, and lipid panel. Create a dashboard comparing results over 3-6 month periods. If users are working with a doctor on fatty liver disease, the app could send reminders for scheduled lab work and help visualize trends over time to show whether lifestyle changes are working.

This research describes laboratory and animal studies only—it has not been tested in humans. The herbal formula discussed (Ge-Lian Qi-Shen decoction) is not approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat, cure, or prevent any disease without medical supervision. If you have fatty liver disease or metabolic concerns, consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or herbal treatment. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Do not stop or change any prescribed medications based on this research. Some herbal compounds may interact with medications or cause side effects in certain people.