Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan Decoction in MASLD: integrated gut microbiota and lipidomics study in an animal model
In high-fat diet-induced MASLD rats, LGZGD treatment reduced serum and hepatic lipid and liver enzyme markers and modulated gut microbiota composition, but all data are preclinical and do not support clinical inference.
| Population | Rats with high-fat diet-induced MASLD (exact n not specified in the available text) |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan Decoction (LGZGD); dose and duration not specified in the available extract |
| Comparator | Normal diet control group and untreated MASLD group |
| Outcome | Serum total cholesterol (TC); Serum triglycerides (TG); Serum liver enzymes (AST and ALT); Serum HDL-C; Serum LDL-C; Gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA); Lipidomic profile (831 regulated lipid species) |
Summary of findings
| Outcome | Effect | 95% CI | Certainty | Clinical relevance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum total cholesterol (TC) | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Serum triglycerides (TG) | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Serum liver enzymes (AST and ALT) | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Serum HDL-C | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Serum LDL-C | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA) | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available; directional shift only: Collinsella increased, Faecalibaculum decreased) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
| Lipidomic profile (831 regulated lipid species) | Not reported (no effect size or 95% CI available; 831 species identified without individual quantification) | — | Very low | — | 1 studies |
Context
MASLD affects a growing share of the global population and lacks approved pharmacological therapies with well-defined mechanisms. LGZGD is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction with putative hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects. This study maps mechanisms via gut microbiota and lipidomics in a rodent model.
What the study showed
LGZGD reduced serum and hepatic TC, TG, AST, ALT, and LDL-C in MASLD rats while increasing HDL-C; absolute values, effect sizes, and 95% CIs were not reported in the available text. Gut microbiota showed increased Collinsella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 and decreased Faecalibaculum. Lipidomic analysis identified regulation of 831 lipid species, mainly in glycerophospholipid, glycerolipid, and sphingolipid pathways. No quantitative data with CI were provided in the analyzed extract.
How it was done
Preclinical experimental study in high-fat diet-induced MASLD rats. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used for chemical characterization of LGZGD (83 putatively identified components), 16S rRNA for fecal microbiota, and lipidomics of serum, liver, and brown adipose tissue. Exact sample size, doses, and duration are not stated in the provided summary.
Effect magnitude
Effect sizes, 95% CIs, and absolute values were not reported in the available text; the true magnitude of observed effects remains undetermined from the provided data.
Risk of bias
Exclusively animal (rodent) model; absence of complete quantitative data (95% CI, effect size, exact n) in the analyzed extract; causality between microbiota and lipidomic changes and hepatic outcome not established; 83 components putatively identified without isolation of active compound; no formal preclinical risk-of-bias tool (SYRCLE or equivalent) mentioned.
What this study does NOT prove
This study does not prove efficacy or safety of LGZGD in humans with MASLD. It does not establish causality between gut microbiota or lipidomic modulation and the observed hepatic improvement.
In clinical practice
This study generates no clinical recommendation. Clinicians should not extrapolate rodent model results to MASLD patients. LGZGD has no established efficacy or safety in humans for this indication.
Limitations
Exclusively animal (rodent) model; absence of complete quantitative data (95% CI, effect size, exact n) in the analyzed extract; causality between microbiota and lipidomic changes and hepatic outcome not established; 83 components putatively identified without isolation of active compound; no formal preclinical risk-of-bias tool (SYRCLE or equivalent) mentioned.
What is still missing
Human trials (RCTs) with validated clinical endpoints (hepatic histology, cardiovascular events, mortality) and identification of the active component responsible for the observed effect.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-10-21 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0