Gut-liver axis management and its surgical application: A perspective from “liver governing free flow”

Table 1 Commonly used Chinese medicines and their main effects and clinical applications

Name of Chinese medicine	Main effects	Regulatory mechanism	Clinical application
Chenopodium album	Clearing heat, inducing diuresis and relieving yellow fever	Regulation of intestinal flora, improvement of intestinal barrier function, inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response	Treatment of fatty liver, liver fibrosis, etc.
Salvia miltiorrhiza	Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, clearing the mind and removing vexation	Improve intestinal microcirculation, reduce intestinal inflammation, inhibit liver fibrosis	Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis
Atractylodes macrocephala	Strengthening the spleen, promoting vital energy, drying dampness and inducing diuresis	Regulates intestinal flora, enhances intestinal barrier function, reduces intestinal permeability	Chronic gastritis, indigestion
Milk vetch root	Qi tonic, immune booster, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant	Regulating the balance of intestinal flora, enhancing intestinal immune function, increasing IgA secretion	Hepatitis, cirrhosis and its complications

Table 2 Application of Chinese medicine techniques in regulating the gut-liver axis

Chinese medicine technology	Main effects	Regulatory mechanism	Clinical application
Give or have acupuncture and moxibustion	Regulates meridians, qi and blood, promotes liver function recovery	Stimulates specific acupoints, improves intestinal motility, regulates autonomic nervous system	Chronic liver disease, intestinal inflammation
Tui Na (form of Chinese manual therapy)	Improvement of intestinal function and enhancement of intestinal barrier function	Manual stimulation, improvement of intestinal microcirculation, reduction of inflammatory response	Functional gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome

Table 3 Commonly used drugs and their applications

Name of drug	Primary role	Machine	Clinical application	Study
Rifaximin	Regulates intestinal flora and reduces endotoxins	Inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria	Irritable bowel syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy	Improved cognitive function and reduced relapse rates
Ursodeoxycholic acid	Protects liver cells and improves bile flow	Reduces bile acid toxicity	Primary biliary cirrhosis	Slowing disease progression and improving survival
Probiotic preparation	Regulates the balance of intestinal flora and protects the liver	Increases beneficial bacteria and reduces inflammatory response	Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis	Improve liver function and reduce fat content