Cirrhosis

Why it works: Antifibrotic mechanisms (pre-clinical): EGCG can inhibit activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)—the main drivers of liver scarring—and has shown fibrosis-red...

Instructions: Form matters: Traditional green-tea infusions have a much better safety profile than concentrated supplements. European Food Safety Authority. Avoid high-dose extracts: Safety auth...

Warnings: Hepatotoxicity (the big one): Concentrated green-tea extracts (EGCG-rich) are a recognized cause of...

Studies: Cirrhosis (humans):No randomized trials show EGCG or green-t...

Why it works: Hepatoprotective lignans (e.g., schisandrin A/B/C, gomisins) show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic actions in liver cells; several reviews map effects to Nrf2, NF...

Instructions: Traditional crude herb (dried berries): The Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists ~2–6 g/day (often 3–9 g/day in decoction) of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus taken orally as tea/decoction, pi...

Warnings: Potent drug–drug interactions (CYP3A4 & P-gp inhibition). Schisandra—especially S. sphenanthera extr...

Studies: Human data directly in cirrhosis:I could not find robust ran...

Why it works: Researchers classify FZHY as a multi-component, anti-fibrotic botanical that targets several steps of liver fibrogenesis:. • Inhibits hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and pro...

Instructions: Formulations and doses differ slightly by product—follow your specific product’s insert and your clinician’s advice:. • FZHY tablets (0.4 g/tablet): Oral, 4 tablets, 3 times daily;...

Warnings: Pregnancy: Contraindicated—inserts list “Pregnant women should not use.” ypk.39.net. Adverse effects...

Studies: Randomized/controlled studies & clinical programsHBV-rel...

Why it works: Targets liver fibrogenesis pathways. Untargeted metabolomics and network-pharmacology work on RG found enriched actives (e.g., luteolin, quercetin, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin...

Instructions: Population: Adults with CHB and histologically confirmed advanced fibrosis/early cirrhosis (e.g., Ishak ≥3). Decompensated disease was typically excluded. Europe PMC. Regimen (exam...

Warnings: Adjunct, not a substitute for antivirals. The strongest data are RG + entecavir for CHB-related adva...

Studies: Randomized & controlled clinical dataMulticenter, random...

Why it works: Mechanisms proposed (preclinical & small human studies): antioxidant/free-radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of fibrogenic pathways (e.g., TGF-β), and membra...

Instructions: There’s no standard, evidence-based dosing for cirrhosis, and no major hepatology guideline recommends it as a treatment for cirrhosis. Typical study regimens have used:. • Silymar...

Warnings: Do not replace standard cirrhosis care. Major hepatology guidelines (EASL/AASLD) do not recommend mi...

Studies: Signals of benefit (older RCTs):Ferenci et al., 1989 (J Hepa...

Why it works: Antifibrotic & anti-inflammatory mechanisms (preclinical): Curcumin down-regulates profibrotic TGF-β/Smad signaling, inhibits NF-κB–mediated inflammation, and interferes with hepat...

Instructions: Form & dose used in cirrhosis RCTs: Both trials used curcumin 1,000 mg/day orally for 12 weeks (not culinary turmeric). Europe PMC. With or without absorption enhancers? Many suppl...

Warnings: Rare but real risk of liver injury from supplements: Australia’s TGA warns of a rare risk of liver i...

Studies: Cirrhosis: symptom/QoL improvement (RCT): 70 adults with cir...