Aucubin is an iridoid glycoside found in several medicinal plants, notably Plantago asiatica and Eucommia ulmoides, both used in traditional East Asian medicine. Scientific studies, primarily in vitro and in animal models, provide some support for its hepatoprotective effects. Research indicates that aucubin can attenuate chemically-induced liver injury, reduce hepatic inflammation, and inhibit oxidative stress. For example, several rodent studies have demonstrated that aucubin administration alleviates liver damage induced by toxins such as carbon tetrachloride or D-galactosamine, likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Huang et al., 2011).

However, clinical studies in humans are lacking, and the evidence base is limited to preclinical experiments. There is insufficient data to confirm efficacy or safety in people with hepatitis, whether viral or non-viral in origin. Traditional use of aucubin-containing plants for liver ailments is documented, but the isolated compound’s benefit in hepatitis is not established in clinical settings. Therefore, while scientific investigation suggests potential hepatoprotective effects, the evidence is preliminary and further research—especially well-designed human trials—is necessary to substantiate aucubin’s use in treating or supporting hepatitis.