Herbal mixture of Platycodon grandiflorum, Cinnamomum cassia, and Asiasarum sieboldii extracts protects against NASH progression via regulation of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and apoptosis

The FPC diet combined with HFCS induced a NASH mouse model that closely mimics the relevant pathology of human NASH within 6 months, BS012 markedly attenuated these pathological features, with the observed protective effects attributed to the reduction of hepatic steatosis through modulation of ChREBP-α- and AMPK-mediated lipid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation pathways. In addition, BS012 suppressed the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating inflammation, as well as reducing hepatic apoptosis responses, and attenuating the progression of liver fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. The synergistic interaction among the botanical components of BS012 is believed to act on multiple molecular targets, enhancing therapeutic efficacy through complex regulatory mechanisms, which collectively contribute to the mitigation of liver injury thereby offering protection against NASH progression. BS012, a novel combination of three medicinal herbal extracts, holds promise as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of NASH.