Studies: HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CHIOS MASTIC

In short: Chios mastic has been associated with the liver since antiquity, and a few modern studies — so far in animals — have investigated possible hepatoprotective activity. This page summarises that research, with citations.

Please note: The studies below are independent research and are all animal studies. They are summarised for information and are not health claims. Mastic is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not a treatment for liver disease, diabetes or NAFLD — for any such concern, please see your doctor.
Chios mastic resin — hepatoprotective research

Selected studies

Katsanou et al. (2014) — liver enzymes in rats

Examined how oral Chios mastic extract affects the liver enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in male rats. At the recommended dose, mastic did not cause notable changes in these enzymes — the effects were similar in magnitude to those seen with everyday caffeine intake (the control) — pointing to a good safety profile at recommended doses.

Saad Ur Rehman et al. (2015) — liver function in diabetic rats

In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the authors reported improvements in liver function in the group given crude Chios mastic compared with untreated animals, describing a hepatoprotective effect on the liver micro-environment.

Tzani et al. (2016) — an NAFLD animal model

Investigated mastic in an animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mastic at 20 mg/kg of body weight per day for 4 weeks was associated with lower glucose, triglyceride and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and a partial reversal of hepatic steatosis.

What the research suggests

In these animal studies, Chios mastic was associated with stable liver enzymes at recommended doses and, in diabetic and NAFLD models, with improvements in some liver and metabolic markers. This is early animal research — not evidence of an effect in people, and not a basis for treating any liver or metabolic condition.

References

  1. Katsanou E.S. et al. (2014). Modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 hepatic enzymes after oral administration of Chios mastic gum to male Wistar rats. PLoS One, 9(6): e100190.
  2. Saad Ur Rehman M. et al. (2015). Anti-diabetic activity of crude Pistacia lentiscus in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Bangladesh J. of Pharmacology, 10(3): 543–547.
  3. Tzani A. et al. (2016). Investigation of Chios mastic gum effect on metabolic profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Atherosclerosis.

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