Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), including chlorogenic acid, are polyphenolic compounds found in many plants such as coffee, artichoke, and some traditional herbal medicines. While their use in liver health is sometimes referenced in traditional practices, there is also some scientific validation supporting their hepatoprotective effects, albeit mostly from preclinical studies. Several in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that CQAs can exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects, all of which are relevant to liver health and the mitigation of toxin-induced liver damage. For example, research shows that CQAs may reduce oxidative stress in liver cells and modulate enzyme systems involved in detoxification, such as glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase.

A handful of animal experiments report that administration of caffeoylquinic acids protects against chemically induced liver injuries (such as those caused by carbon tetrachloride or paracetamol), reducing biomarkers of liver damage like ALT and AST. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the existing evidence is not sufficient to firmly establish CQAs as an effective liver detoxification agent in humans. The evidence is primarily preclinical, so while the scientific rationale exists, clinical validation remains limited. Therefore, the level of evidence supporting the use of caffeoylquinic acids for liver detoxification is rated as 2 out of 5.