Researchers tested a new two-drug combination to treat MASH, a serious liver disease where fat builds up in liver cells, causing inflammation and scarring. The study combined tetrahydrocurcumin (a natural compound from turmeric) with a drug called EW-7197 in laboratory tests and mice. The combination worked better than either drug alone at reducing fat buildup, inflammation, and liver scarring. While these early results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize this is still experimental and needs more testing before it could be used in patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether combining a natural compound (tetrahydrocurcumin) with a drug (EW-7197) could treat MASH, a disease where fat accumulates in the liver and causes damage
  • Who participated: Laboratory experiments using human liver cells and mice fed a special diet designed to create fatty liver disease similar to the human condition
  • Key finding: The two-drug combination reduced liver fat, inflammation, and scarring more effectively than either drug used alone in both lab tests and mice
  • What it means for you: This suggests a potential new treatment approach for fatty liver disease, but it’s still in early testing stages and not yet available for patients. More research is needed to confirm safety and effectiveness in humans

The Research Details

The researchers conducted two types of experiments. First, they tested the drugs in laboratory dishes containing human liver cells to see how they responded. Second, they gave the drugs to mice that had been fed a special diet to develop fatty liver disease similar to what happens in humans. The mice received the drugs by mouth for six weeks while continuing the special diet. Researchers then examined the mice’s livers to measure changes in fat content, inflammation, and scarring.

This approach allowed scientists to test the basic mechanism in cells first, then see if it worked in a living organism. The mice model is important because a mouse’s liver responds to disease in ways similar to human livers, making it a useful bridge between lab tests and human treatment.

Testing both in cells and in living animals helps researchers understand not just whether something works, but also how it works and whether it’s safe. This two-step approach reduces the risk of wasting time on treatments that work in a dish but fail in real bodies. It also helps identify the right doses before testing in humans.

This is a proof-of-concept study, meaning it’s designed to show that an idea might work, not to prove it definitely does. The researchers used established laboratory methods and animal models recognized by the scientific community. However, they tested only one type of diet in mice, and the study hasn’t been tested in humans yet. The authors themselves note that more research with different diet models and detailed analysis of how the drugs move through the body is needed before human trials could begin.

What the Results Show

In laboratory tests with human liver cells, the combination of both drugs reduced fat buildup better than either drug alone. The drug EW-7197 alone helped prevent some damage to liver cells caused by inflammation, but it didn’t reduce fat accumulation. Tetrahydrocurcumin, whether used alone or with EW-7197, significantly reduced the amount of fat stored in liver cells.

In mice with fatty liver disease, the combination treatment produced impressive results. The mice that received both drugs showed substantial reductions in liver scarring (fibrosis), which is the most dangerous aspect of the disease. The combination also improved the overall liver damage markers and reduced the amount of fat in the liver.

The key advantage of using both drugs together was that they appeared to work through different mechanisms. EW-7197 targeted inflammation and scarring pathways, while tetrahydrocurcumin targeted fat accumulation. This complementary action made the combination more effective than either treatment alone.

The researchers observed that EW-7197 alone had some unwanted effects on fat metabolism that could be harmful. However, when combined with tetrahydrocumin, these negative effects were prevented. This suggests the two drugs balance each other out, with tetrahydrocurcumin protecting against the downsides of EW-7197 while enhancing its benefits. The study also showed that the combination was well-tolerated in the mice tested, with no obvious signs of toxicity.

Previous research has shown that both curcumin derivatives and ALK-5 inhibitors have potential for treating liver disease, but they’ve typically been studied separately. This research is novel in demonstrating that combining them creates a synergistic effect—meaning they work better together than the sum of their individual effects. The findings align with current understanding that fatty liver disease involves multiple problems (fat accumulation, inflammation, and scarring) that may require multiple approaches to treat effectively.

This study is explicitly positioned as proof-of-concept, meaning it shows the idea might work but doesn’t prove it will work in humans. The mice were fed only one specific diet; testing with other diet types would strengthen the findings. The study doesn’t include detailed information about how the drugs are absorbed, distributed, and eliminated from the body—information crucial for human dosing. Additionally, the sample size for animal studies isn’t specified, and the research hasn’t been independently verified by other laboratories. Most importantly, no human trials have been conducted, so we don’t know if these results will translate to actual patients.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests the combination of tetrahydrocurcumin and EW-7197 may be a promising future treatment for MASH, but it is NOT ready for patient use. Current recommendations remain: maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. If you have fatty liver disease, work with your doctor on proven lifestyle changes. This research may lead to new treatment options in the future, but that’s likely several years away.

People with MASH or fatty liver disease should be aware of this research as a potential future option, but shouldn’t expect it to be available soon. Doctors and researchers studying liver disease should pay attention to these findings. People without liver disease don’t need to take action based on this research. Anyone considering supplements containing curcumin should discuss it with their doctor, as this study used a specific derivative in specific doses.

If this research progresses as hoped, it would likely take 3-5 years of additional testing before human trials could begin, and another 5-10 years of human testing before a drug could potentially be approved. Realistic timeline for availability: 8-15 years at minimum, assuming all future studies are successful.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users with fatty liver disease should track liver health markers if available through their healthcare provider: ALT and AST liver enzymes (monthly if monitored), weight (weekly), and alcohol consumption (daily). This creates a baseline for comparing against future treatments.
  • While waiting for new treatments, users should focus on proven interventions: reduce added sugars and refined carbohydrates, increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week, maintain a healthy weight, and limit alcohol. The app could help users set and track these lifestyle goals with reminders and progress visualization.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system for liver health markers through regular doctor visits (every 3-6 months). Users should document any new treatments they try and note changes in symptoms like fatigue or abdominal discomfort. This personal health record will be valuable if this or similar treatments become available in the future.

This research describes an experimental treatment that has only been tested in laboratory cells and mice. It is not approved for human use and is not available as a medical treatment. The findings are preliminary and require substantial additional research before human trials could be considered. If you have fatty liver disease or MASH, consult with your healthcare provider about proven treatment options and lifestyle modifications. Do not attempt to self-treat with curcumin supplements or other substances based on this research without medical guidance. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.