Researchers discovered how a traditional Chinese herbal medicine combination called YCHZX may help treat a serious liver condition called NASH (fatty liver disease). The study found that this herbal mix works by changing the bacteria in your gut, which then produces a helpful substance called butyrate. This butyrate appears to strengthen your gut’s protective barrier and reduce inflammation in the liver. The research was done in mice and lab cells, showing promising results, but more human studies are needed before this treatment could be used in people.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a traditional Chinese herbal medicine combination (YCHZX) could treat fatty liver disease and how it works in the body
- Who participated: Laboratory mice that were fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet to develop fatty liver disease, plus human cells grown in a lab dish
- Key finding: The herbal medicine worked better than its individual ingredients alone at improving liver health and cholesterol levels. It did this by changing gut bacteria to produce more of a protective substance called butyrate, which strengthened the gut barrier and reduced liver inflammation
- What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new treatment path for fatty liver disease, but it’s still in early stages. These results were seen in mice and lab cells, not yet in people, so we can’t recommend it as a treatment yet. Anyone with liver disease should talk to their doctor about proven treatments
The Research Details
Scientists created fatty liver disease in mice by feeding them an unhealthy diet high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. They then gave some mice the herbal medicine YCHZX (or its individual parts) and compared them to untreated mice. The researchers used multiple advanced techniques to understand what was happening: they looked at the bacteria in the mice’s guts using genetic testing, measured chemicals in the blood, and examined liver tissue under a microscope. They also did experiments with human cells in dishes to confirm their findings.
To prove that the gut bacteria were actually responsible for the benefits, the scientists gave some mice antibiotics to kill off their gut bacteria, then gave them the herbal medicine. If the medicine stopped working without the bacteria, it would prove the bacteria were essential to how the medicine works.
This multi-layered approach—combining animal studies, lab cell studies, and genetic analysis—helps researchers understand not just whether something works, but exactly how it works in the body.
Understanding the exact mechanism of how a treatment works is crucial because it helps scientists develop better treatments and predict who might benefit most. By showing that the herbal medicine works through gut bacteria, researchers can now look for ways to enhance this effect or create similar treatments. This approach also validates traditional Chinese medicine using modern scientific tools, which could help bridge ancient medical knowledge with contemporary medicine.
This study used multiple complementary research methods (called ‘multi-omics’), which strengthens the findings. The researchers verified their results in multiple ways: in mice, in lab cells, and by testing whether removing gut bacteria eliminated the benefits. However, the study was conducted only in animals and lab cells, not in humans. The sample size of mice was not specified in the available information. The research was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. These are positive signs, but human clinical trials would be needed to confirm these results apply to people.
What the Results Show
The herbal medicine combination (YCHZX) was more effective than its individual ingredients at improving liver health markers. Mice treated with YCHZX showed better cholesterol levels (specifically lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) and healthier liver tissue under the microscope compared to untreated mice.
The key discovery was that YCHZX changed the composition of bacteria in the mice’s guts. Specifically, it increased bacteria that produce a substance called butyrate, which is beneficial for gut health. At the same time, the medicine reduced a protein called IDO1 in the colon and increased levels of a compound called indolelactic acid (ILA) in the blood.
This ILA compound appeared to strengthen the gut’s protective barrier by increasing a protein called occludin, which acts like a seal between gut cells. A stronger gut barrier means fewer harmful substances can leak from the intestines into the bloodstream and reach the liver. The herbal medicine also reduced inflammation in the liver by blocking harmful signals that trigger immune responses.
When researchers gave mice antibiotics to eliminate their gut bacteria, the herbal medicine lost its effectiveness, proving that the beneficial bacteria were essential to how the treatment worked.
The research showed that butyrate (the substance produced by beneficial bacteria) directly suppressed IDO1 production in lab experiments. The herbal medicine activated a cellular receptor called AhR, which is important for maintaining gut barrier integrity and regulating immune responses. The treatment reduced the amount of harmful bacterial toxins (LPS) that leaked from the gut into the bloodstream. Liver inflammation markers (specifically IL-1β) were significantly reduced in treated mice. The herbal medicine also decreased fat accumulation in liver cells (TG accumulation).
Previous research has shown that gut bacteria and their metabolites (products) play important roles in liver disease. This study builds on that knowledge by identifying a specific pathway: how herbal medicine → changes gut bacteria → produces butyrate → strengthens gut barrier → reduces liver inflammation. The finding that butyrate and related compounds can strengthen the gut barrier aligns with existing research on short-chain fatty acids. However, the specific combination of YCHZX and its effects on the IDO1-tryptophan pathway appears to be a novel contribution to the field.
This research was conducted entirely in mice and laboratory cells, not in humans, so we cannot yet know if these results will apply to people. The study did not specify how many mice were used or provide detailed information about their characteristics. The research focused on one specific herbal medicine combination, so results may not apply to other treatments. The study did not compare YCHZX to standard medical treatments for fatty liver disease, so we don’t know how it compares to existing therapies. Long-term effects were not studied—we only know what happened during the study period. The mechanisms identified are complex and involve multiple steps, so any disruption in this chain could affect the results.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, we cannot yet recommend YCHZX as a treatment for fatty liver disease because human studies have not been conducted. This is promising preliminary research that suggests further investigation is warranted. For people currently dealing with fatty liver disease, proven approaches include weight loss, reducing sugar and alcohol consumption, and working with a healthcare provider on a treatment plan. If someone is interested in exploring traditional Chinese medicine, they should discuss this with their doctor, especially if they have liver disease or take other medications.
This research is most relevant to: researchers studying fatty liver disease and gut health, scientists interested in how traditional medicines work, people with NASH or fatty liver disease (as potential future treatment), and healthcare providers looking for new therapeutic approaches. This research is NOT yet ready for people to use as a self-treatment. People with existing liver disease should not change their treatment based on this study alone.
In the mice studied, improvements in liver health markers were observed during the study period, but the exact timeline was not specified. If this treatment were eventually tested in humans and approved, it would likely take months to see improvements in liver health, similar to other liver disease treatments. Any real-world application would require years of human clinical trials before becoming available as a medical treatment.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in gut health could track: daily fiber intake (which feeds beneficial bacteria), digestive symptoms (bloating, regularity), energy levels, and any liver function tests ordered by their doctor. A simple daily log noting diet quality and digestive comfort would help identify patterns.
- While waiting for human research on this specific herbal medicine, users can support their gut bacteria and liver health through proven methods: eating more fiber-rich foods (vegetables, whole grains, legumes), reducing processed foods and added sugars, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy weight. These changes support the same beneficial bacteria and metabolites discussed in this research.
- Users should track their overall digestive health and energy levels weekly. If they have fatty liver disease, they should work with their doctor to monitor liver function tests (ALT, AST, cholesterol levels) through regular blood work. Users should note any dietary changes and their effects on how they feel. This creates a personal baseline for understanding what supports their individual health.
This research was conducted in mice and laboratory cells, not in humans. The findings do not yet constitute medical advice or approved treatment recommendations. People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) or any liver condition should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to their treatment plan or trying new supplements or herbal medicines. This is especially important because some herbal products can interact with medications or affect liver function. The herbal medicine combination studied (YCHZX) is not currently an approved medical treatment and should not be used to replace proven therapies. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.