Sichuan dark tea with a medicine-food-homology formula synergistically alleviates alcohol-associated gut microbiota disturbance, liver steatosis and death in mice

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a global health concern. Sichuan dark tea, a popular Chinese beverage, has been reported to have good health effects. In the study, Sichuan dark tea with a medicine-food-homology formula (TEA&MFH) has been created and evaluated for potential anti-ALD benefits. Our results exhibited that TEA&MFH treatment significantly decreased the mortality rate, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in alcohol-induced mice. TEA&MFH treatment decreased serum ethanol levels and enhanced the expression of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. Furthermore, TEA&MFH ameliorated alcohol-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, maintained intestinal barrier integrity, and altered the composition of gut microbiota, particularly restoring the population of Akkermansia. Gene and metabolite integrated analysis revealed that TEA&MFH influenced these key pathways related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory response. These findings provide evidence that TEA&MFH synergistically improves alcohol-associated gut microbiota disturbance, liver steatosis, and death in mice. As a dietary formula, the TEA&MFH holds significant potential against alcoholic liver disease.