Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term efficacy of Huazhuo Tongyu decoction in the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases(NAFLD). Methods 100 patients with NAFLD were recruited in this clinical trial between January 2018 and January 2020, and were randomly divided into control group (n=50) and observation group (n=50), receiving silibinin capsules orally or Huazhuo Tongyu decoction, a decoction of herbal medicine, for three months. Blood biochemical parameters were measured by AU5800 automatic biochemical analyzer, fasting blood insulin was detected by Abbott Optium glucometer, serum leptin level was detected by double-antibodies ELISA, and the severity of fatty liver was assessed by ultrasonography (US). Results At the end of treatment, blood triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the observation group were(1.8±0.1)mmol/L, (5.1±0.3)mmol/L and (2.0±0.2)mmol/L, significantly lower than in the control group; the HOMA-IR and serum leptin level were (2.0±0.2) and (1.0±0.1)ng/mL, significantly lower than in the control, while there were no significant differences as respect to fasting plasma glucose level and HOMA-B between the two groups ; serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the US score were(41.5±4.2)U/L, (35.9±3.2)U/L, (63.6±4.0)U/L and (4.6±1.0), all significantly lower than in the control. Conclusion The administration of Huazhuo Tongyu decoction could effectively regulate blood lipids, alleviate insulin resistance and decrease serum leptin levels in patients with NAFLD, which needs further investigation.

Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, Huazhuo Tongyu decoction, herbal medicine, Blood lipids, Insulin resistance, Leptin, Therapy