中文English
ISSN 1001-5256 (Print)
ISSN 2097-3497 (Online)
CN 22-1108/R
Volume 41 Issue 10
Oct.  2025
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents

Advances in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of primary biliary cholangitis-related liver fibrosis

DOI: 10.12449/JCH251003
Research funding:

National Natural Science Foundation of China (81673926)

More Information
  • Corresponding author: ZHANG Wei, lhyyzhangwei@163.com (ORCID: 0009-0005-4211-414X)
  • Received Date: 2025-07-08
  • Accepted Date: 2025-08-05
  • Published Date: 2025-10-25
  • Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic progressive autoimmune liver disease that often progresses to liver fibrosis and even liver cirrhosis. This article summarizes and reviews the research advances in the combined use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of PBC-related liver fibrosis. Various studies have shown that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy can improve serum fibrosis markers, noninvasive liver fibrosis scores, and liver stiffness measurement in PBC patients with liver fibrosis, with a relatively good safety profile and a potential to delay or even reverse the progression of PBC-related liver fibrosis. However, current evidence is mainly derived from small-scale or short-term clinical observational studies, and in the future, large-scale high-quality randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up studies are needed in combination with modern scientific technologies to explore underlying mechanisms, thereby further validating its efficacy and promoting the establishment of an evidence-based precise diagnosis and treatment system based on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapies. Through in-depth research, TCM is expected to play a more important role in the treatment of PBC-related liver fibrosis.

     

  • loading
  • [1]
    TRIVELLA J, JOHN BV, LEVY C. Primary biliary cholangitis: Epidemiology, prognosis, and treatment[J]. Hepatol Commun, 2023, 7( 6): e0179. DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000179.
    [2]
    GULAMHUSEIN AF, HIRSCHFIELD GM. Primary biliary cholangitis: Pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities[J]. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2020, 17( 2): 93- 110. DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0226-7.
    [3]
    CORPECHOT C, CHAZOUILLÈRES O, BELNOU P, et al. Long-term impact of preventive UDCA therapy after transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Hepatol, 2020, 73( 3): 559- 565. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.03.043.
    [4]
    ZHANG LJ, SCHUPPAN D. Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for fibrotic liver disease: Hope and hype[J]. J Hepatol, 2014, 61( 1): 166- 168. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.03.009.
    [5]
    Expert Committee on Hepatology, Doctor Society of Integrative Medicine, Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Experts consensus on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Clin Hepatol, 2024, 40( 9): 1757- 1766. DOI: 10.12449/JCH240907.

    中国医师协会中西医结合医师分会肝病学专家委员会. 原发性胆汁性胆管炎中西医结合诊疗专家共识[J]. 临床肝胆病杂志, 2024, 40( 9): 1757- 1766. DOI: 10.12449/JCH240907.
    [6]
    CHEN JL, WANG XB. Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Southwest Med Univ, 2025, 48( 1): 21- 26. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2096-3351.2025.01.005.

    陈佳良, 王宪波. 中医药治疗原发性胆汁性胆管炎研究进展[J]. 西南医科大学学报, 2025, 48( 1): 21- 26. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2096-3351.2025.01.005.
    [7]
    WANG HX, JIN S. Professor Jin Shi’s clinical experience in treating primary biliary cholangitis[J]. Jilin J Tradit Chin Med, 2011, 31( 1): 37- 38. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-5699.2011.01.021.

    王红霞, 金实. 金实教授治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化经验[J]. 吉林中医药, 2011, 31( 1): 37- 38. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-5699.2011.01.021.
    [8]
    XU Y, MU YP, LIU P. Experience of Liu Ping in treating primary biliary cirrhosis[J]. Shanghai J Tradit Chin Med, 2015, 49( 12): 1- 4. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2015.12.001.

    徐莹, 慕永平, 刘平. 刘平治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化经验撷英[J]. 上海中医药杂志, 2015, 49( 12): 1- 4. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2015.12.001.
    [9]
    ZHANG W. Research advances in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Clin Hepatol, 2018, 34( 4): 698- 703. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-5256.2018.04.004.

    张玮. 原发性胆汁性胆管炎中西医研究进展[J]. 临床肝胆病杂志, 2018, 34( 4): 698- 703. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-5256.2018.04.004.
    [10]
    LEVY C, MANNS M, HIRSCHFIELD G. New treatment paradigms in primary biliary cholangitis[J]. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2023, 21( 8): 2076- 2087. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.02.005.
    [11]
    MONTANO-LOZA AJ, CORPECHOT C. Definition and management of patients with primary biliary cholangitis and an incomplete response to therapy[J]. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2021, 19( 11): 2241- 2251. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.062.
    [12]
    BI YF, SHI K, CHEN JL, et al. Curative effect of anti-fibrosis Chinese patent medicines combined with ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cholangitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Front Pharmacol, 2023, 14: 1159222. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1159222.
    [13]
    PAROLA M, PINZANI M. Liver fibrosis: Pathophysiology, pathogenetic targets and clinical issues[J]. Mol Aspects Med, 2019, 65: 37- 55. DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2018.09.002.
    [14]
    ZHOU BC, CAO YW, LIU Q, et al. Curative effect of Ganshuang Granules combined with ursodeoxycholic acid on PBC[J]. Liaoning J Tradit Chin Med, 2024, 51( 5): 135- 138. DOI: 10.13192/j.issn.1000-1719.2024.05.037.

    周保仓, 曹亚伟, 刘泉, 等. 肝爽颗粒联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性胆管炎疗效观察[J]. 辽宁中医杂志, 2024, 51( 5): 135- 138. DOI: 10.13192/j.issn.1000-1719.2024.05.037.
    [15]
    HUANG ZY, WANG ZC, ZHU XH, et al. Therapeutic effect of Tuigaohuang decoction on primary biliary cholangitis caused by dampness and heat in liver and bile[J]. Liaoning J Tradit Chin Med, 2025, 52( 5): 141- 144, Insert 3. DOI: 10.13192/j.issn.1000-1719.2025.05.038.

    黄左宇, 王忠成, 朱晓红, 等. 退高黄汤治疗肝胆湿热型原发性胆汁性胆管炎的疗效分析[J]. 辽宁中医杂志, 2025, 52( 5): 141- 144, 后插3. DOI: 10.13192/j.issn.1000-1719.2025.05.038.
    [16]
    STERLING RK, PATEL K, DUARTE-ROJO A, et al. AASLD practice guideline on blood-based noninvasive liver disease assessment of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis[J]. Hepatology, 2025, 81( 1): 321- 357. DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000845.
    [17]
    CORPECHOT C, CARRAT F, GAOUAR F, et al. Liver stiffness measurement by vibration-controlled transient elastography improves outcome prediction in primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Hepatol, 2022, 77( 6): 1545- 1553. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.06.017.
    [18]
    XU J, LIU K, MA ZF. Effect of Rougan Bushen decoction combined with ursodeoxycholic acid on primary biliary cirrhosis and liver function[J]. Chin Arch Tradit Chin Med, 2023, 41( 4): 247- 250. DOI: 10.13193/j.issn.1673-7717.2023.04.052.

    徐菁, 刘坤, 马竹芳. 柔肝补肾汤结合熊去氧胆酸对原发性胆汁性肝硬化疗效、肝功能影响研究[J]. 中华中医药学刊, 2023, 41( 4): 247- 250. DOI: 10.13193/j.issn.1673-7717.2023.04.052.
    [19]
    GAO SC, CHAI HS, YANG HL, et al. Clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine combined with ursodeoxycholic acid in treating decompensated primary biliary cirrhosis in elderly women[J]. Shanghai J Tradit Chin Med, 2024, 58( 2): 79- 83. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2024.2307032.

    高司成, 柴海生, 杨海琳, 等. 中药联合熊脱氧胆酸治疗老年女性原发性胆汁性肝硬化失代偿期的临床疗效[J]. 上海中医药杂志, 2024, 58( 2): 79- 83. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2024.2307032.
    [20]
    ENDO M, SOROIDA Y, SATO M, et al. Ultrasound evaluation of liver stiffness: Accuracy of ultrasound imaging for the prediction of liver cirrhosis as evaluated using a liver stiffness measurement[J]. J Med Dent Sci, 2017, 64( 2-3): 27- 34. DOI: 10.11480/jmds.640301.
    [21]
    KOWDLEY KV, VICTOR DW 3, MACEWAN JP, et al. Longitudinal relationship between elevated liver biochemical tests and negative clinical outcomes in primary biliary cholangitis: A population-based study[J]. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2025, 61( 11): 1775- 1784. DOI: 10.1111/apt.70120.
    [22]
    YOU LP, ZHENG C, GAO YQ, et al. Effect of zimian formula combined with ursodeoxycholic acid in treatment of primary biliary cholangitis patients with Gan-Shen Yin deficiency syndrome: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med, 2023, 43( 3): 292- 297. DOI: 10.7661/j.cjim.20220905.318.

    游丽萍, 郑超, 高月求, 等. 自免方联合熊去氧胆酸治疗肝肾阴虚证原发性胆汁性胆管炎随机对照研究[J]. 中国中西医结合杂志, 2023, 43( 3): 292- 297. DOI: 10.7661/j.cjim.20220905.318.
    [23]
    WANG YQ, ZHANG W, YE MC, et al. Clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal compound combined with ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis[J]. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med Liver Dis, 2021, 31( 5): 398- 401. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-0264.2021.05.004.

    王怡群, 张玮, 叶敏超, 等. 中药复方联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者的临床研究[J]. 中西医结合肝病杂志, 2021, 31( 5): 398- 401. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-0264.2021.05.004.
    [24]
    CHEN YY, ZHENG YQ, SHI Z, et al. Effects of modified Yinchenhao decoction on liver fibrosis in patients of primary biliary cholangitis with poor response to UDCA[J]. Acad J Shanghai Univ Tradit Chin Med, 2021, 35( 3): 28- 32. DOI: 10.16306/j.1008-861x.2021.03.006.

    陈逸云, 郑玥琪, 时桢, 等. 加味茵陈蒿汤对UDCA应答不佳的原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者肝纤维化的影响[J]. 上海中医药大学学报, 2021, 35( 3): 28- 32. DOI: 10.16306/j.1008-861x.2021.03.006.
    [25]
    STERLING RK, ASRANI SK, LEVINE D, et al. AASLD Practice Guideline on noninvasive liver disease assessment of portal hypertension[J]. Hepatology, 2025, 81( 3): 1060- 1085. DOI: 10.1097/HEP.00000000000-00844.
    [26]
    YANG MM, RONG L, ZHANG XF, et al. Hirsutella sinensis mycelium polysaccharides attenuate the TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells[J]. Int J Biol Macromol, 2024, 254( Pt 2): 127834. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127834.
    [27]
    LI J, ZHU XY, ZHANG MH, et al. Limb expression 1-like(LIX1L) protein promotes cholestatic liver injury by regulating bile acid metabolism[J]. J Hepatol, 2021, 75( 2): 400- 413. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.02.035.
    [28]
    FRISSEN M, LIAO LJ, SCHNEIDER KM, et al. Bidirectional role of NLRP3 during acute and chronic cholestatic liver injury[J]. Hepatology, 2021, 73( 5): 1836- 1854. DOI: 10.1002/hep.31494.
    [29]
    ZHANG YZ, ZHANG SJ, LUO X, et al. Paeoniflorin mitigates PBC-induced liver fibrosis by repressing NLRP3 formation[J]. Acta Cir Bras, 2022, 36( 11): e361106. DOI: 10.1590/ACB361106.
    [30]
    GUO XX, GUO BT, KONG XL. Research on Tiaogan Lipi granules regulating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in mice infected with primary biliary cholangitis[J]. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med Dig, 2017, 25( 12): 933- 938. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-038X.2017.12.09.

    郭晓霞, 郭琲婷, 孔祥璐. 调肝理脾颗粒剂调节原发性胆汁性胆管炎小鼠TGF-β1/Smads信号通路的研究[J]. 中国中西医结合消化杂志, 2017, 25( 12): 933- 938. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-038X.2017.12.09.
    [31]
    HUANG Y, ZHAO R, TAN MA, et al. Molecular mechanism study of Zishui Hanmu Lidan decoction for improving IBEC-EMT in a mouse model of primary biliary cholangitis[J/OL]. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med, 2025.[ Epub ahead of print]

    黄祎, 赵容, 谭梅傲, 等. 滋水涵木利胆方改善原发性胆汁性胆管炎小鼠模型肝内胆管上皮细胞间质化的分子机制研究[J]. 中国中西医结合杂志, 2025.[网络首发]
    [32]
    LOCKE GR 3, THERNEAU TM, LUDWIG J, et al. Time course of histological progression in primary biliary cirrhosis[J]. Hepatology, 1996, 23( 1): 52- 56. DOI: 10.1002/hep.510230108.
    [33]
    ZENG N, DUAN WJ, CHEN S, et al. Epidemiology and clinical course of primary biliary cholangitis in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Hepatol Int, 2019, 13( 6): 788- 799. DOI: 10.1007/s12072-019-09984-x.
    [34]
    CORPECHOT C, CARRAT F, BONNAND AM, et al. The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy on liver fibrosis progression in primary biliary cirrhosis[J]. Hepatology, 2000, 32( 6): 1196- 1199. DOI: 10.1053/jhep.2000.20240.
    [35]
    TANAKA A, TAKIKAWA H, MOCHIDA S, et al. Changing nomenclature for PBC from“primary biliary cirrhosis” to“primary biliary cholangitis”[J]. J Gastroenterol, 2016, 51( 7): 748- 749. DOI: 10.1007/s00535-016-1223-z.
    [36]
    CAREY EJ, ALI AH, LINDOR KD. Primary biliary cirrhosis[J]. Lancet, 2015, 386( 10003): 1565- 1575. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00154-3.
    [37]
    LIU HF, ZHOU SM, LI JW, et al. Effect of depression on response to ursodeoxycholic acid and the occurrence of liver cirrhosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis[J]. J Clin Hepatol, 2023, 39( 12): 2817- 2823. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-5256.2023.12.011.

    刘海峰, 周思敏, 李纪文, 等. 抑郁对原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者熊去氧胆酸治疗应答和发生肝硬化的影响[J]. 临床肝胆病杂志, 2023, 39( 12): 2817- 2823. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-5256.2023.12.011.
  • 加载中

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索

    Article Metrics

    Article views (78) PDF downloads(31) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return