Study on the effect of a Chinese herbal formula on fatty liver

Lingguizhugan decoction (LGZG) has shown promising effects on insulin resistance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLE) in basic studies. The aim of this clinical trial from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was to investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanism of LGZG.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 243 participants with NAFLE received either LGZG (standard or low dose) or a placebo supplemented with lifestyle adjustments for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The analysis was performed separately for overweight/obese and normal-weight participants.

In over weight/obeseparticipants, the low LGZG dose led to a significant reduction in HOMA-IR compared to placebo. In normal-weight participants, LGZG showed no significant benefits over placebo, regardless of the dose.

Mechanistic analyses using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and qPCR showed that LGZG significantly increased the N6-methyladenine modification of the genes PPP1R3A (protein phosphatase 1 regulator subunit 3A) and ATG3(autophagy-associated protein 3) in the obese/adipose group .

A low dose of LGZG improves insulin resistance in obese/obese individuals with NAFLE. The underlying mechanism may be related to epigenetic modifications of PPP1R3A and ATG3. Normal weight individuals do not seem to benefit from the treatment.