Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 06, 2026 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists in Italy have discovered that a powerful combination of four natural plant extracts may help control cholesterol by acting on both the intestine and the liver at the same time. The research highlights how targeting the “gut–liver axis,” the biological communication pathway between the digestive system and the liver, could open new possibilities for managing cholesterol levels in a more natural way.
Scientists discover a powerful four-plant formula that strengthens the gut–liver axis and dramatically
improves cholesterol regulation
The study covered in this
Medical News report was conducted by researchers from the Department for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Vercelli, Italy, together with scientists from Noivita Srls, a spin-off company of the University of Piemonte Orientale located in Novara, Italy.
Why the Gut and Liver Matter for Cholesterol
Most people think cholesterol control depends only on the liver, but scientists now understand that the intestine also plays a crucial role. The gut regulates how fats and cholesterol are absorbed, while the liver processes and removes cholesterol from the body.
If the intestinal barrier becomes weak or inflamed, harmful compounds can enter the bloodstream and disrupt liver metabolism. This can lead to higher cholesterol levels, inflammation, and metabolic problems.
Researchers therefore explored whether a natural combination of plant extracts could strengthen the intestinal barrier while also influencing how the liver processes cholesterol.
Four Botanicals Selected for Their Complementary Effects
The scientists created a multi-botanical formulation that combined extracts from four plants with different biological properties.
The first ingredient was AMLA, also known as Emblica officinalis, a fruit widely used in traditional medicine and rich in polyphenols and antioxidant compounds. Previous research has suggested that AMLA may help reduce cholesterol absorption and protect the liver.
The second ingredient was black garlic, a fermented form of garlic containing sulfur-based compounds such as S-allyl-L-cysteine that are known for strong antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits.
The third plant was Gastrodia elata, a medicinal rhizome containing phenolic compounds and polysaccharides that may help protect liver cells from metabolic stress.
The fourth component was Primula veris, a plant rich in flavonoids and saponins that may support the elimination of cholesterol through bile acid pathways.
By combining these four extracts, the researchers aimed to create a formula capable of targeting multiple metabolic pathways at once.
Improved Intestinal Barrier and Absorption
The first phase of the experiments examined how the extr
acts affected intestinal cells. The results showed that the combined formulation significantly improved intestinal barrier integrity compared with individual extracts.
The mixture increased the strength of tight junction proteins that help seal the gut lining. This helps prevent harmful substances from entering the bloodstream while allowing beneficial compounds to pass through.
In addition, the botanical combination showed stronger permeability across the intestinal cell layer, suggesting that the active compounds could effectively reach the liver after being absorbed.
Strong Effects on Cholesterol Metabolism in Liver Cells
After passing through the simulated intestinal barrier, the compounds were tested on liver cells exposed to metabolic stress.
The botanical combination produced several significant biological effects. It strongly suppressed the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production in the liver.
At the same time, the mixture increased LDL receptor activity, helping liver cells remove LDL cholesterol from circulation more efficiently.
The formulation also reduced levels of PCSK9, a protein that normally interferes with the liver’s ability to clear LDL cholesterol. Lower PCSK9 levels allow the liver to maintain more LDL receptors and remove cholesterol from the bloodstream more effectively.
Another key finding was that the mixture increased bile acid production and enhanced cholesterol elimination pathways, indicating that excess cholesterol could be removed more efficiently from the body.
Conclusion
The results suggest that combining several botanical extracts may provide a multi-target strategy for regulating cholesterol metabolism through the gut–liver axis. By strengthening intestinal barrier function, reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver, improving LDL clearance, and promoting bile acid-mediated elimination, the formulation demonstrated strong synergistic effects that exceeded those of individual plant extracts. While further animal and human studies will be needed to confirm the findings, the research provides promising evidence that carefully designed nutraceutical combinations could become valuable tools for supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health in the future.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Pharmaceutics.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/18/3/328
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