Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Xiaozhi Quzhuo decoction, herbal medicine, in the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic simple fatty liver (NAFL). Methods A total of 70 patients with NAFL were enrolled in our hospital for treatment between November 2017 and May 2019, and 34 patients (control) were guided for controlled dieting and exercise, while another 36 patients (observation) took Chinese herbal medicine, Xiaozhi Quzhuo decoction, at the base of dieting and exercise for 12 weeks. Blood biochemical indicators were routinely detected, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was determined by transient elastography, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fatty liver index (FLI), body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated.Results At presentation, there were no significant differences in FBG, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C between the two groups (P>0.05), while at the end of 12 week treatment, the FBG,HOMA-IR,TC,TG and LDL-C levels in the observation group were (6.1±0.9)mmol/L,(5.8±0.7),(5.2±0.8)mmol/L, (2.2±0.1)mmol/L and (3.1±0.3)mmol/L, all significantly lower than [(6.8±1.6)mmol/L, (6.5±1.6), (5.7±0.8)mmol/L,(2.7±0.2)mmol/L and (3.9±0.9)mmol/L, respectively, P<0.05], and the HDL-C level was (1.5±0.2)mmol/L, significantly higher than [(1.0±0.2)mmol/L, P<0.05] in the control; before treatment, there were no significant differences as respect to fatty liver parameters between the two groups (P>0.05), while at the end of 12 week treatment, the CAP, FLI and BMI in the observation group were (238.4±25.3)dB/m, (22.3±5.3) and (25.1±2.0)kg/m², all significantly lower than [(270.3±30.1)dB/m, (29.1±6.3)U/L and (28.1±2.0)kg/m², respectively, P<0.05] in the control. Conclusion The administration of herbal medicine, Xiaozhi Quzhuo decoction, for the treatment of patients with NAFL could effectively improve the glucolipid metabolism, and might have a short-term clinical efficacy, and it is worthy of further clinical verification.

Key words: Nonalcoholic simple fatty liver, Obesity, Traditional Chinese medicine, Treatment