Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to observe the clinical efficacy of Huatan Qushi Shugan decoction, herbal medicines, and simvastatin combination in the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods 68 patients with NAFLD with a special traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) type were encountered in our hospital between February 2020 and January 2022, and among them, 33 cases in control group received simvastatin therapy at base of routine diet and exercise guidance, and the other 35 patients received Huatan Qushi Shugan decoction at the base of above management in the control. The regimen lasted for 12 weeks. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were detected by thiobarbituric acid and oxidase method, and the liver fat content (LFC) was measured by color Doppler ultrasonography. Results The clinical effective rate as defined by comprehensive TCM judgement in patients with simvastatin and herbal medicine combination therapy was 94.3%, significantly higher than 75.8% in the control (P<0.05); the scores of TCM symptoms, such as distension in right hypochondrium, heavy feeling the whole body, sticky stool, lassitude and weakness and abdominal distention were (1.4±0.5), (0.9±0.2), (0.8±0.2), (1.2±0.4) and (1.5±0.3), significantly lower than [(2.8±0.7), (2.1±0.3), (1.5±0.4), (2.1±0.6) and (2.4±0.6), respectively, P<0.05] in the control group; the improvement of liver function tests and blood fat were greatly superior to in the control; serum MDA and LFC were (7.5±1.3) μmol/L and (6.5±0.9)%, significantly lower than [(11.4±1.8) μmol/L and (7.9±1.3)%, P<0.05], while serum SOD level was (80.4±7.8) U/L, significantly higher than [(66.3±7.2) U/L, P<0.05] in the control group. Conclusion The combination of herbal medicine and simvastatin has an obvious short-term efficacy in the treatment of patients with NAFLD with special TCM syndrome, which could improve the liver function tests and lipid metabolism, and needs further investigation.

Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Huatan Qushi Shugan decoction, Herbal medicines, Simvastatin, Liver fat content, Therapy