Fatty liver drug showdown: ornithine aspartate vs silymarin

NCT ID NCT05042245

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether ornithine aspartate granules work better than silymarin capsules for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 237 adults with NAFLD and elevated liver enzymes took one of the two treatments for a period. The main goal was to see if liver fat levels improved. The trial is complete, and results will show if ornithine aspartate is a good alternative.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ornithine aspartate granules
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that is as good as or better than silymarin.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 4 trial comparing two existing drugs, so no major breakthrough is expected. The primary outcome is a liver fat measurement, not a cure, and results may not apply to everyone with NAFLD.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200092, China

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