Liver Meridian Biomedical & TCM Details

The liver has vital roles in metabolism. These include breaking down harmful substances and toxins so they can be removed from the body, balancing blood sugar, digesting proteins, storing nutrients and filtering the blood. It also produces bile which is stored in the gall bladder. 

Schissandra fruit, Smilacis, Bupleurum, milk thistle, wolfberry, mint, Puerariae and dandelion have been shown to be protective of the liver. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) Animal studies have shown schissandra fruit, to protect the liver from acetaminophen damage. Milk thistle has been shown to protect the liver from a wide range of both biological and chemical toxic agents including mold toxins, snake venom, pesticides and toxic metals. (2, 5, 11) Milk thistle, wolfberry, and Puerariae protect liver from alcohol damage in animal studies. (6, 7, 9) Also, Puerariae was shown to lessen blood alcohol levels and intoxication in rats. (10) Other studies have shown blood markers indicative of liver damage, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), to decrease after treatment with schissandra fruit, wolfberry, Puerariae and dandelion. (2, 11, 12, 13, 14) In one clinical study, milk thistle was used in a trial of 2637 patients with chronic liver disease. After 8 weeks of taking the herb, ALT and AST levels had decreased along with the frequency of liver enlargement (palpable hepatomegaly). (15) Bupleurum, milk thistle, dandelion and wolfberry, have even been shown to slow or alleviate damage from liver fibrosis. (4, 7, 10, 16)

Other effects include improvement of liver fat accumulation (fatty liver) with schissandra fruit, milk thistle, and wolfberry. (2, 7, 17, 20, 21, 22) Antiviral activities of milk thistle towards the Hepatitis C virus have been seen (7), and improved levels of glutathione (master antioxidant) with schissandra fruit and Puerariae. (11, 17, 18) Liver regeneration has been observed in some studies with schissandra fruit and milk thistle. (19, 20)

Many of the herbs also have specific effects on blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Schissandra fruit and wolfberry have been shown to decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides in rats (21, 22); positive impact on insulin resistance and blood sugar levels have been noted in studies using schissandra fruit, milk thistle, wolfberry, Puerariae, and dandelion. (1, 7, 15, 21, 13, 10, 23, 24)

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit, Fructus schisandrae) is warm, enters the HT, KI and LU meridians and all five Zang organs; tonifies Qi, astringes Lung Qi leakage and stops coughing, tonifies Kidney and binds Essence, astringes sweat and generates fluids, quiets the Spirit, and calms and contains Heart Qi.

Tu Fu Ling (Greenbriar Root, Smilacis glabrae) is neutral and enters the LIV and ST meridians; relieves toxicity and eliminates Damp, clears Damp-Heat from skin, promotes normal urination.

Chai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum chinesis) is cool and enters the GB, LIV, and PC meridians; relieves Shao Yang disorders, reduces fever, spreads Liver Qi, relieves stagnation, raises Yang Qi, disperses Wind-Heat and resolves phlegm.

Da Ji (Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum) enters the LIV and HT meridians; removes stagnation, promotes urination, dispels Cold, stimulates Qi, move Blood, stops bleeding, cools Blood, reduces swelling, generates flesh, tonifies the Liver. 

Bo He (Field Mint, Herba menthae haplocalycis) is cool and enters LU and LIV channels, disperses Wind-Heat, cools and clears the head and eyes, benefits the throat, vents rashes, relieves Liver Qi Stagnation, and expels turbid filth.

Gou Qi Zi (Ningxia Wolfberry, Lycium barbarum) is warm and enters the KI and LIV meridians; tonifies the Liver and Kidney, strengthens the sinews and bones, expels wind-damp, and warms and stabilizes the Kidney.

Ge Gen (Kudzu Root, Puerariae lobatae) is cool and enters the SP and ST meridians; discharges exterior conditions, releases muscles especially of the neck and back, relieves Heat, generates Fluids, raises Spleen Yang and stops diarrhea.

Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion, Herba Taraxaci) is cold and enters the LIV and ST meridians; dissipates nodules, calms the Liver and clears the eyes, clears Heat, resolves Damp, relieves toxicity. 

References:

  1. Yang K., Qiu J., Huang Z., Yu Z., Wang W., Hu H., You Y. 2022. A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. J Ethnopharmacol. Feb 10;284:114759. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114759.
  2. Che, J., Yang, S., Qiao, Z., Sun, H.L.J., Zhuang, W., Chen, J., Wang, C. 2019. Schisandra chinensis acidic polysaccharide partially reverses acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. J Pharmacol Sci. Jul;140(3):248-254. doi: 10.1016/j.jphs.2019.07.008.
  3. Xu, Q., Yuan, K., Lu, J., Wang, R., Wu, F. 1997. A new strategy for regulating the immunological liver injury--effectiveness of DTH-inhibiting agents on DTH-induced liver injury to picryl chloride. Pharmacol Res. Nov;36(5):401-9. doi: 10.1006/phrs.1997.0249.
  4. Yang, F.,Dong, X., Yin, X., Wang, W., You, L., and Ni, J. 2017. Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. BioMed Research International. Article ID 7597596. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7597596. 
  5. Fanoudi, S., Alavi, M.S., Karimi, G., Hosseinzadeh, H. 2020. Milk thistle (Silybum Marianum) as an antidote or a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities: a review. Drug Chem Toxicol. May;43(3):240-254. doi: 10.1080/01480545.2018.1485687.
  6. Wang, F., Tipoe, G.L., Yang, C., Nanji, A.A., Hao, X., So, K-F., Xiao J. 2018. Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Supplementation Improves Alcoholic Liver Injury in Female Mice by Inhibiting Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase. Mol Nutr Food Res. Jul;62(13):e1800144. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201800144.
  7. Alessandro Federico, A., Dallio, M., Loguercio, C. 2017. Silymarin/Silybin and Chronic Liver Disease: A Marriage of Many Years. Molecules. Jan 24;22(2):191. doi: 10.3390/molecules22020191.
  8. Chen C., Yin Q., Tian J., Gao X., Qin X., Du G., Zhou Y. 2020. Studies on the potential link between antidepressant effect of Xiaoyao San and its pharmacological activity of hepatoprotection based on multi-platform metabolomics. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 1;249:112432. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112432.
  9. Li L., Yin H., Zhao Y., Zhang X., Duan C., Liu J., Huang C., Liu S., Yang S., Li X. 2018. Protective role of puerarin on LPS/D-Gal induced acute liver injury via restoring autophagy. Am J Transl. Res. Mar 15;10(3):957-965. PMID: 29636885; PMCID: PMC5883136.
  10. Xie C.I., Lin R.C., Antony, V., Lumeng, L., Li,T.K., Mai, K., Liu, C,, Wang, Q.D., Zhao, Z.H., Wang, G.F. 1994. Daidzin, an antioxidant isoflavonoid, decreases blood alcohol levels and shortens sleep time induced by ethanol intoxication. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. Dec;18(6):1443-7.
  11. Jiang, Y., Fan, X., Wang, Y., Chen, P., Zeng, H., Tan, H., Gonzalez, F.J., Huang, M., Bi2015. Schisandrol B protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibition of CYP-mediated bioactivation and regulation of liver regeneration. Toxicol Sci. Jan;143(1):107-15. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu216. 
  12. Wu, P-S., Wu, S-J., Tsai, Y-H.  Lin, Y-H.,  Chao, J. C-J. 2011. Hot water extracted Lycium barbarum and Rehmannia glutinosa inhibit liver inflammation and fibrosis in rats. Am J Chin Med. 39(6):1173-91. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X11009482.
  13. Wang, S., Zhang, S., Wang, S., Gao, P., Dai, L. 2020. A comprehensive review on Pueraria: Insights on its chemistry and medicinal value. Biomed Pharmacother. Nov;131:110734. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110734.
  14. Pfingstgraf, I.O., Taulescu, M., Pop, R.M., Orăsan, R., Vlase, L., Uifalean, A., Todea, D., Alexescu, T., Toma, C., Pârvu, A.E. 2021. Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure. Antioxidants. Mar 24;10(4):504. doi: 10.3390/antiox10040504.
  15. Post-White, J., Ladas, E.J., Kelly, K.M. 2007. Advances in the use of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Integr Cancer Ther. Jun;6(2):104-9. doi: 10.1177/1534735407301632.
  16. Gan, F., Liu, Q., Liu, Y., Huang, D., Pan, C., Song, S., Huang, K. 2018. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides improve CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, inflammatory response and TLRs/NF-kB signaling pathway expression in wistar rats. Life Sci. Jan 1:192:205-212. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.11.047.
  17. Chiu, H-F., Chen, T-Y., Tzeng, Y-T.,  Wang, C-K. 2013. Improvement of liver function in humans using a mixture of schisandra fruit extract and sesamin.  Phytother Res. Mar;27(3):368-73. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4702. 
  18. Chang, B.Y., Lee, D.S., Lee, J.K., Kim, Y.C., Cho, H.K., Kim, S.Y. 2016. Protective activity of kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana) vine on chemically-induced hepatotoxicity: in vitro and in vivo studies. BMC Complement Altern Med. Jan 29;16:39. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1023-2.
  19. Li, X., Sun., J., Fan, X., Guan, L., Li. D., Zhou, Y., Zeng, X., Chen, X., Zhang, H., Xu, L., Jiang, F., Huang, M., Bi, H. 2018. Schisandrol B promotes liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice. Eur J Pharmacol. Jan 5;818:96-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.10.044. 
  20. Abenavoli, L., Izzo, A.A., Milić, N., Cicala, C., Santini, A., Capasso, R. 2018. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): A concise overview on its chemistry, pharmacological, and nutraceutical uses in liver diseases. Phytother Res. Nov;32(11):2202-2213. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6171.
  21. Kwok, S.S., Bu, Y., Lo, A.C., Chan, T.C., So, K.F,. Lai, J.S., Shih, K.C. 2019. A Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease. Biomed Res Int. Feb 12;2019:4615745. doi: 10.1155/2019/4615745.
  22. Park, H.J., Lee, S-J., Song, Y., Jang, S-H., Ko, Y-G., Kang, S.N., Chung, B.Y., Kim, H-D., Kim, G-S., Cho, J-H. 2014. Schisandra chinensis prevents alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in rats. J Med Food. Jan;17(1):103-10. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2849.
  23. Wirngo, F.E., Lambert, M.N., Jeppesen, P.B. 2016. The Physiological Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) in Type 2 Diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. Summer-Fall;13(2-3):113-131. doi: 10.1900/RDS.2016.13.113.
  24. Fan, M., Zhang, X., Song, H., Zhang, Y. 2023. Dandelion (Taraxacum Genus): A Review of Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects. Molecules. 28(13):5022. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135022 Sarris, J. 2018. Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review. Phytother. Res. Mar 25. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/ptr.6055