GGV formula attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic injury in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites

Yifang Wang; Yihua Zhang; Yinting He; Shixun Zhang; Bo Huang; Yarong Wang; Weibin Lin; Weicheng Xiao; Zhenzhuang Zou; Guozhen Cui

doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1564177

GGV formula attenuates CCl₄-induced hepatic injury in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites

Front Nutr. 2025 May 27:12:1564177. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1564177. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Yifang Wang^#¹, Yihua Zhang^#¹, Yinting He¹, Shixun Zhang¹, Bo Huang², Yarong Wang¹, Weibin Lin³, Weicheng Xiao³, Zhenzhuang Zou^{2

4}, Guozhen Cui¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.
² Department of Pediatrics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
³ Zhuhai Jinwan Biomedical Industry Research Institute, Zhuhai, China.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Futian District Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shenzhen, China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Liver disease is a global health issue requiring effective therapeutic interventions. Although the individual hepatoprotective properties of glutathione, Ganoderma lucidum extract, and vitamin C are well-documented, their combined effects remain to be elucidated.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective potential of a functional food formula named GGV to mitigate acute liver injury induced in mice.

Methods: GGV was orally administered in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum and hepatic biomarkers. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Serum metabolomic profiling was conducted using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS.

Results and conclusion: GGV administration significantly ameliorated CCl₄-induced liver dysfunction, exhibiting greater efficacy than its individual components. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that GGV treatment restored the microbial diversity and composition disrupted by CCl₄ exposure. Metabolomic profiling further indicated that GGV normalized phospholipid, fatty acid, and bile acid levels. Correlation analysis identified specific microbial genera associated with serum bile acid profiles, suggesting that the hepatoprotective effects of GGV are mediated through modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolites. Taken together, these findings support the potential of GGV as a promising dietary intervention for promoting liver health through the liver-microbiota-gut axis.

Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum extract; glutathione; gut microbiota; hepatoprotective effect; metabolomics; vitamin C.