Kaohsiung Medical University / Prof. Chia-Hung Yen

 Pain Points Solved 

• Current treatments for fatty liver disease mainly rely on lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise; however, patient compliance is generally low, resulting in limited long-term effectiveness.
• Therapeutic options are very limited, with only one FDA-approved drug currently available, and its long-term safety and side effects still require further evaluation.
• There is a lack of natural, safe, and long-term preventive products for fatty liver disease available on the market.
• This technology offers a formulation based on natural plant extracts that combines safety and efficacy, addressing the gap between clinical treatment and long-term health management needs.

 Technology Introduction 

• Background

Approximately one-third of the global population is affected by metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), with around 33% of the population in Taiwan also diagnosed with MAFLD. If left uncontrolled, the condition may progress to hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. Current treatments rely on dietary adjustments and exercise, but most individuals find it difficult to maintain these lifestyle changes long-term. Currently, the only FDA-approved drug is Resmetirom, but its long-term side effects and safety still require further evaluation, highlighting the need for the development of new therapeutic options.

• Technical introduction

This invention has identified three edible plant extracts—CFL, ACL, and PML—that significantly reduce fat accumulation in liver cells and exhibit synergistic effects, outperforming any single component alone. Animal studies have also demonstrated that these extracts can significantly improve MAFLD symptoms, and long-term use can reduce the occurrence of liver tumors. The plant extracts included in this invention are derived from natural sources, are safe, and have no significant side effects. They are suitable for the development of health and functional foods, providing a safe and long-term solution for fatty liver prevention and health management. This can help reduce the risk of fatty liver and improve overall quality of life. In the future, further development of health foods (extract combinations), botanical new drugs, and small-molecule new drugs (bioactive compounds) can expand the scope of applications, offering more comprehensive options for fatty liver prevention and treatment.

Figure 1. Developing New Therapies for Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease Edible Plants

 Application Examples 

• Health and Functional Foods: Development of daily-consumable functional beverages or capsules to help reduce hepatic fat accumulation and maintain liver health.
  
• Clinical Adjunct Therapy: Used in combination with dietary control and exercise as a long-term health management solution for patients with fatty liver disease.
• New Drug Development: Bioactive compounds derived from the extracts can serve as lead compounds for botanical new drugs or small-molecule drug development, with extended applications in the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease and liver cancer.

 Related Links 

None

 Patent Name and Number 

US-PRO 63/729,458

 Industry-Academia / Tech Transfer Partner 

None

 Honors and Awards  

None

 Technical Contact  

Mr. Hung, Assistant Manager

Kaohsiung Medical University 
Tel: +886 7-3121101 ext. 2360
Email: R121084@kmu.edu.tw