Published online Mar 21, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i11.3302
Peer-review started: August 20, 2015
First decision: September 19, 2015
Revised: September 29, 2015
Accepted: December 8, 2015
Article in press: December 8, 2015
Published online: March 21, 2016
Processing time: 208 Days and 5.9 Hours
Study of the effects of natural products, including traditional Chinese Medicines, on acetaminophen hepatotoxicity has gained considerable popularity in recent years, and some of them showed positive results and even promising therapeutic potentials. A recent report suggested that Liuweiwuling tablets protect against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity and promote liver regeneration in a rodent model through alleviating the inflammatory response. However, several concerns exist regarding the limitations of the experimental design and interpretation of the data presented in this manuscript.
Core tip: The reduced inflammatory response and the increased liver regeneration by Liuweiwuling treatment are more likely secondary effects of the protection by inhibition of metabolic activation of acetaminophen rather than the primary mechanism of protection.