Evidence mapPaperPMID 42449375Full record

ArticleChinese medicine2026

Rhein from a traditional herbal formula attenuates hepatic fibrosis via ALDH1A3-mediated retinoic acid metabolism.

Kai Yu, Minqi Chen, Wanchao Hou, Jinhua Lu, Qianhan Liu, Wanrong Zeng, Yan Xie, Zhengcai Du, Xiaotao Hou, Erwei Hao and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Chinese medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Kai YuGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Minqi ChenGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Wanchao HouGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Jinhua LuGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Qianhan LiuCollege of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China.
Wanrong ZengCollege of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China.
Yan XieGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Zhengcai DuGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Xiaotao HouGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China.
Erwei HaoGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China. ewhao@163.com.
Jiagang DengGuangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 13 Wuhe Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530200, China. dengjg53@126.com.

Funding

Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine PhD Research Fund 2022BS023Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province 2025GXNSFBA069220Talent Education Program of Guangxi Science and Technology Project Guike AA23026008
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatic fibrosis is a prevalent outcome of chronic liver diseases. Although activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is a primary driver of fibrogenesis, therapeutic strategies targeting retinoic acid (RA) metabolism in HSCs remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to elucidate the material basis of Huanggen formula (FHG), identify its principal bioactive constituents, and clarify the underlying antifibrotic mechanisms.

methodThe antifibrotic efficacy of FHG was assessed in a CCl

resultsFHG markedly alleviated metabolic disturbances and histopathological injury in fibrotic mice. Metabolomic analysis identified anthraquinones and flavonoids as the principal active classes, with rhein exhibiting potent anti-HSC activation effects. Rhein suppressed LX-2 activation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, and migration, and mitigated CCl

conclusionRhein is a key antifibrotic constituent of FHG and suppresses hepatic fibrosis by targeting ALDH1A3 and restoring RA metabolism. The ALDH1A3-ATRA axis represents a central mechanism and a promising therapeutic target.

Indexed as

ALDH1A3Extracellular matrixHepatic stellate cellLiver fibrosisMulti-omicsRetinoic acid metabolismRhein

Identifiers

PMID42449375
PMCPMC13366891

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.