Artemisia Argyi Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Modulating Fibrosis-Related Factors and Gut Microbiota

The study investigates the effects of Artemisia argyi (AA) extract on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and related fibrosis in a mouse model. Mice fed a choline-deficient, high-fat diet showed increased triglyceride levels and fibrosis-related gene expression, which were significantly reduced by AA extract treatment. The extract also altered gut microbiota, notably reducing the abundance of the pro-fibrotic bacterium Acetivibrio ethanolgignens. In vitro, AA's active components inhibited fibrosis-related gene expression in hepatic stellate cells. These results suggest AA as a promising candidate for NASH-induced fibrosis therapy.