Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. extracts alleviate cholestatic liver disease by FXR pathway

Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is a disease characterized by cholestasis. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that maintains homeostasis in bile acid metabolism. Studies have shown that gut microbiota interfered with the FXR pathway. Modulation of FXR to inhibit cholestasis has become a key measure in the treatment of CLD. In traditional folk medicine, Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. was used as a primary treatment for gallstones, gonorrhea, jaundice, cholecystitis and other diseases. Modern pharmacological studies had also found that the herb has anti-calculus, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic and liver damage. Therefore, we speculated that Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. extracts (DME) could alleviate CLD through the FXR pathway and might be associated with the gut microbiota. However, studies of DME alleviating CLD through the FXR pathway have not been reported.