- 2025-10-17
- Journal of ethnopharmacology 356
- Junhua Feng
- Xue Wang
- Longshan Ji
- Xiaohui Liang
- Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Lingying Huang
- Xin Zhang
- Yating Gao
- Miao Fang
- Zhuo Yu
- Zhenhua Zhou
- Yunfeng Guan
- Zhi Shang
- Asgari Motahareh
- Yueqiu Gao
- Chenguo Feng
- Man Li
Study Design
- Type
- Systematic Review
- Methods
- A systematic literature review was performed in six electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, from inception until September 2025.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK), a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has gained attention for its potential in treating chronic liver disease (CLD) due to its broad therapeutic effects and bioactive compounds. Preclinical studies show that bioactive compounds of AMK exert their beneficial effects through different molecular mechanisms in CLD management. Some potential targets have been tested or are undergoing clinical trials in human CLD.Aims of study
This review explores the chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and mechanisms of AMK in relation to CLD. It aims to deepen our understanding of AMK's therapeutic potential and identify new molecular targets for CLD drug development.Materials and methods
A systematic literature review was performed in six electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, from inception until September 2025. The related AMK and CLD terms or synonyms were also searched. We initially excluded the following studies: (1) The language is neither English nor Chinese; (2) Commentaries, letters, conference abstracts, notes, editorial material, guidelines. References of included articles were checked to identify the eligible articles.Results
We summarize the therapeutic effects of AMK and its active compounds for the treatment of CLD. We also present potential targets for these compounds.Conclusion
AMK could be classified as a novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of CLD, and its natural active compounds may represent new sources for the development of new drugs or dietary supplements against CLD. Future researches should seek to potential new agents by thorough preclinical and clinical studies.