The Multicomponent Medicinal Product Hepar Compositum Study Summary

Summary

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a prevalent chronic liver disease globally, affecting approximately 32% of the population. There are no approved pharmacotherapies for MASLD, highlighting the need for effective treatments. Hepar compositum (HC-24), a medicinal product with 24 natural ingredients, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in obesity-associated MASLD mouse models. This study aimed to explore HC-24's potential in reducing MASLD-associated fibrosis using a streptozotocin (STZ)- and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model.

In this study, mice were injected with low-dose STZ at 2 days old and fed an HFD from 4 to 9 weeks old. The mice were treated with HC-24 every other day or with telmisartan (a positive control) daily from 6 to 9 weeks old. A non-diseased control group served as a healthy reference. A pilot study showed that HC-24 improved liver histology, reducing the NAFLD activity score (NAS) and liver fibrosis. These findings were confirmed in a subsequent full study, demonstrating HC-24's ability to reduce hepatic inflammation and fibrosis without affecting body weight, liver weight, blood glucose, or liver steatosis.

Key findings include:

• HC-24 significantly reduced the NAS and hepatic fibrosis in STZ- and HFD-induced MASLD mice.
• HC-24 treatment lowered hepatic inflammation, specifically reducing T helper cell and neutrophil influx.
• HC-24 did not impact metabolic risk factors such as body weight, blood glucose, or liver steatosis.

The study concluded that HC-24 has hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties, making it a potential therapeutic option for MASLD patients.