{
  "abstract": "Background: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) represents a major contributor to liver fibrosis globally, and current therapeutic options remain inadequate. The TGF-β/Smad4 cascade is critically involved in alcohol-evoked activation of hepatic stellate cells and subsequent extracellular matrix accumulation. Although Shenze Shugan capsule (SZSG) has been clinically used for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, its efficacy and mechanisms in ALD are unclear. This study aimed to explore how SZSG exerts protective effects against alcohol-triggered liver injury and the underlying mechanisms.\n\nMethods: Both acute and chronic ALD mouse models were established to assess liver injury, fibrosis, inflammation, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolomic profiles.\n\nResults: SZSG treatment markedly attenuated hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation, as evidenced by reductions in lipid accumulation, collagen deposition, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Concurrently, it reshaped the gut microbiota and restored metabolites dysregulated by alcohol exposure. These beneficial effects appear to involve modulation of the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling pathway and its downstream effectors, α-SMA and Collagen I.\n\nConclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that SZSG combats ALD by simultaneously modulating the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling axis and preserving gut-liver homeostasis, thereby representing a promising multi-target therapeutic candidate.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University , ,",
    "Jilin Aodong Shihang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , ,",
    "Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group Yanji Co., Ltd. , ,"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lu Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Qianyu Gu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jia Tinghe"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhen Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Di Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lanzhou Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Huiyun Zang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Lijun Lin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Junliang Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chunyue Wang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1gfbkwq4gds25.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1942947",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671995/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "1gfbkwq4gds25",
  "issns": [
    "1663-9812"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13671995",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2734|Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7215057366",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671995/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13671995",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-02",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1gfbkwq4gds25.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:18Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13671995",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13671995"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:06Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1942947",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1942947/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:1663-9812",
      "subfield": "pharmacology-toxicology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Shenze shugan capsules alleviate alcoholic liver injury in association with modulation of the TGF-β/smad4 signaling pathway",
  "title_text": "Shenze shugan capsules alleviate alcoholic liver injury in association with modulation of the TGF-β/smad4 signaling pathway",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:06Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1gfbkwq4gds25",
  "venue": "Frontiers in pharmacology",
  "versions": []
}