Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 20, 2025 16 hours, 51 minutes ago
Medical News: Understanding the Impact of Alcohol on Liver Health
Chronic alcohol consumption can severely damage the liver, leading to conditions such as alcohol-related liver injury (ALI). This condition is associated with oxidative stress, disrupted fat metabolism, and an imbalance in gut bacteria. Currently, there are limited effective treatments, making natural alternatives an area of growing interest.
Fruit Extracts Show Promise in Protecting Against Alcohol Related Liver Damage
Image: Citri reticulatae Pericarpium or CRP (Also known and Chen Pi Tangerine)
Researchers from Hunan University, Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, and Hunan Agricultural University in China conducted a study exploring the protective effects of extracts from two fruits: Citri reticulatae Pericarpium or CRP (Also known and Chen Pi Tangerine) and Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (CSP). These fruits are rich in flavonoids, natural compounds known for their antioxidant properties.
This
Medical News report covers how these fruit extracts may help prevent liver damage and improve overall liver health.
How the Study Was Conducted
The researchers used a mouse model to mimic alcohol-related liver damage. The study involved six groups of mice: a normal control group, an alcohol-exposed group, a positive control group receiving silybin (a known liver-protective compound), and three groups receiving different treatments - one with CRP extract, another with CSP extract, and the last with a combination of both.
The extracts were given orally for eight weeks, followed by exposure to alcohol. The scientists analyzed liver tissues, measured oxidative stress markers, checked blood lipid levels, and examined gut bacteria changes.
Key Findings of the Study
-Reduction in Liver Damage
The alcohol-exposed mice showed significant liver damage, including inflammation, fat accumulation, and increased levels of ALT and AST (enzymes that indicate liver damage). However, mice receiving the fruit extracts, especially the combination group, had much lower ALT and AST levels. This suggests that the extracts effectively reduced liver cell damage.
-Improved Fat Metabolism
One major consequence of chronic alcohol consumption is the disruption of fat metabolism, leading to excessive fat deposits in the liver. The study found that both CRP and CSP extracts significantly reduced fat accumulation in liver cells. The combination of both extracts had the strongest effect, suggesting a potential synergy between the two.
-Antioxidant Protection
Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in the body, damaging cells and tissues. Alcohol metabolism produces high levels of ROS, contributing to liver injury. The study found that the fruit extracts boosted the body's natura
l antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT). These enzymes help neutralize harmful ROS, preventing liver damage.
-Inflammation Reduction
Alcohol-related liver injury often triggers inflammation, further worsening the condition. The study found that mice treated with the extracts had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). This indicates that the extracts may help control liver inflammation, potentially slowing disease progression.
-Gut Microbiota Improvement
The gut and liver are closely connected, and imbalances in gut bacteria can worsen liver disease. Chronic alcohol consumption negatively affects gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The study showed that both CRP and CSP extracts helped restore a healthier balance of gut bacteria, increasing short-chain fatty acid production, which is beneficial for liver health.
Conclusion
This study highlights the potential of Citri reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) and Chaenomeles speciosa (CSP) extracts as natural interventions for alcohol-related liver injury. The extracts helped protect liver cells, improved fat metabolism, reduced inflammation, and restored gut bacteria balance. The combination of both extracts showed the most promising results, suggesting that they may work better together than individually.
While further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans, this study provides strong evidence that plant-based compounds could be a natural and effective way to support liver health.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Antioxidants.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/343
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-york-clinicians-sound-the-alarm-covid-19-asymptomatic-individuals-can-suffer-acute-liver-injury
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/herbs-and-phytochemicals
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