Multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms of the Chinese herbal medicine QHD in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Beneficial effects of the Chinese herbal medicine Qushi Huayu Decoction (QHD) were observed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients and animal models. The impact of QHD or its active components (geniposide and chlorogenic acid, GC) on NAFLD liver transcriptome and gut microbiota was examined with NAFLD rats. Increased expression for genes required for glutathione production and decreased expression for genes required for lipid synthesis was observed in NAFLD livers treated with QHD and GC. GC treatment decreased serum LPS, which could be explained by reduced mucosal damage in the colon of GC-treated rats. Further, our data suggest an increased abundance of Treg-inducing bacteria that stimulated the Treg activity in GC treated colon, which in turn down-regulated inflammatory signals, improved gut barrier function and consequently reduced hepatic exposure to microbial products. Our study suggests that QHD simultaneously enhanced the hepatic anti-oxidative mechanism, decreased hepatic lipid synthesis, and promoted the regulatory T cell inducing microbiota in the gut.

Microbial Intervention as a Novel Target in Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression

“…Mouzaki, et al, reported a significant link between the presence of NASH and low percentages of Bacteroidetes in fecal samples, but not BMI, suggesting that intestinal flora may play an important role in the development of NAFLD [27]. An imbalanced gut flora could increase the production of endotoxins or even result in intestinal endotoxemia, which are important factors involved in secondary liver damage as well as the disease progression of NAFLD [28,29]. In return, the development of NAFLD affects the intestinal micro-ecological balance, forming a vicious circle.…”

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in lean individuals

“…In a case-control study, serum free fatty acid (FFA) profiles were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than healthy controls; these FFA profiles were positively associated with almost all metabolic indicators, especially blood glucose, lipid and liver enzymes. 101 The study observed 14:0 and 16:1 as unique FFAs of prominent diagnostic importance for the early screening of NAFLD. Lean and overweight patients with NAFLD had similar concentrations of all FFAs, but obese patients with NAFLD presented significantly higher levels of all types of FFA.…”

Gut Microbiota and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Insights on Mechanism and Therapy

“…Recent studies showed that administration of Qushi Huayu Decoction (QHD) significantly decreased body weight, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and reduced the content of TG and free fatty acids in liver in HFD-induced NAFLD rats. It showed that the CHF-treated group harbored significantly different gut microbiota from that of model rats, and the bacterial profiles of NAFLD rats could be modulated by the CHF [163,164]. Recently, the anti-obesity property of daesiho-tang (DSHT) was also investigated.…”