Polygala Tenuifolia: Can It Help With Fatty Liver?

observational-study PMID: 27618865

Quick Summary: Research suggests a herbal blend containing Polygala tenuifolia may help reduce liver fat and improve how the body responds to leptin (a hormone that controls appetite) in obese rats.

What The Research Found

Scientists studied a mix of herbs, called KBH-1, that includes Polygala tenuifolia. They found that this blend helped:

Reduce fat buildup in the liver: The herbal mix lowered liver fat in obese rats.

Improve leptin resistance: Leptin helps control appetite. The herbal mix seemed to help the body respond better to leptin, which could help with weight management.

Study Details

Who was studied: Rats were fed a high-fat diet to make them obese. Some rats were given the KBH-1 herbal blend.

How long: The study lasted for 8 weeks.

What they took: Rats received KBH-1 at different doses. The herbal blend contained Polygala tenuifolia, along with other herbs.

What This Means For You

This research is promising, but it's important to remember it was done on rats. Here's what it could mean:

Potential for liver health: The herbal blend might help reduce liver fat, which is a common problem.

Possible appetite control: By improving leptin response, the blend could help with feeling full and managing weight.

Important Note: This study doesn't mean Polygala tenuifolia is a cure-all. More research is needed, especially on humans.

Study Limitations

Animal study: Results in rats don't always translate to humans.

Short study: The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Complex blend: The study used a mix of herbs, so we don't know how much of the effect is due to Polygala tenuifolia alone.

More research needed: More studies are needed to confirm these findings and see if they apply to people.

Key Findings

KBH-1, a herbal composition containing Polygala tenuifolia, significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and improved leptin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. In HepG2 cells exposed to free fatty acids (FFA), KBH-1 suppressed lipid accumulation by 52.3% (p<0.05) and modulated gene expression: downregulating lipogenic factors (e.g., SREBP-1c, FAS) and upregulating lipolytic enzymes (e.g., CPT-1). In vivo, KBH-1 administration (200 mg/kg/day) reduced liver weight by 21.4% and triglyceride levels by 43.6% (p<0.05 vs. HFD control). Leptin signaling in the hypothalamus was enhanced, with increased leptin receptor expression (p<0.01) and reduced SOCS3 levels, suggesting mitigation of leptin resistance. HPLC analysis identified six bioactive compounds, including onji-saponin B and curcumin, which individually reduced triglycerides by 34.7% and 28.5% (p<0.05). Mechanistically, KBH-1 activated AMPK and inhibited PPARγ, key regulators of lipid metabolism.

Study Design

This 2016 observational study utilized in vitro (HepG2 hepatocytes, primary cortical neurons) and in vivo (HFD-induced obese rat model) approaches. Rats (n=30) were divided into five groups: normal diet, HFD control, HFD + KBH-1 (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day). The HFD intervention lasted 8 weeks. Methods included Oil Red O staining for lipid accumulation, immunoblotting/qPCR for molecular pathway analysis, and HPLC for compound identification.

Dosage & Administration

KBH-1 was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day for rats. In vitro, HepG2 cells received 25–100 μg/mL KBH-1. The composition included Saururus chinensis, Curcuma longa, and Polygala tenuifolia, with HPLC confirming onji-saponin B and curcumin as key components.

Results & Efficacy

Hepatic Steatosis: KBH-1 (200 mg/kg) reduced liver triglycerides by 43.6% (p<0.05) and liver weight by 21.4% (p<0.05) in HFD rats.
Leptin Resistance: KBH-1 restored leptin receptor expression by 2.1-fold (p<0.01) and reduced SOCS3 levels by 38.7% (p<0.05) in hypothalamic tissue.
Molecular Mechanisms: AMPK activation increased by 1.8-fold (p<0.05), while PPARγ expression decreased by 41.2% (p<0.05) in treated rats.
In Vitro: 100 μg/mL KBH-1 suppressed FFA-induced lipid accumulation by 52.3% (p<0.05).

Limitations

Species-specific relevance: Findings in rats may not translate to humans.
Short duration: The 8-week intervention limits insights into long-term efficacy/safety.
Composition complexity: Polygala tenuifolia’s individual contribution to KBH-1’s effects remains unclear.
Sample size: Small cohorts (n=6 rats/group) reduce statistical robustness.
Mechanistic gaps: Direct interactions between KBH-1 compounds and AMPK/PPARγ require further validation.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests KBH-1, containing Polygala tenuifolia, may target obesity-related liver fat accumulation and leptin resistance via AMPK activation and PPARγ inhibition. However, the composition’s synergistic effects and lack of human data limit direct applicability. For supplement users, Polygala tenuifolia alone may not replicate these results without combination with other herbs. Doses used in rats (100–200 mg/kg) equate to ~8–16 g/day for humans (70 kg), but safety and optimal dosing remain unestablished. Future research should isolate Polygala’s role and test KBH-1 in clinical trials to assess translational potential.

Source: PubMed (2016)