aramchol

Aramchol is a synthetic small molecule drug composed of cholic acid (a bile acid) and arachidic acid (a saturated fatty acid), forming a fatty-acid/bile-acid conjugate. It was initially developed as a cholesterol solubilizer to prevent gallstones but is now being investigated primarily for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[1][2][4]. Aramchol acts mainly by inhibiting stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1), the rate-limiting enzyme in hepatic lipogenesis that converts saturated fatty acids into monounsaturated fatty acids[1][4][5]. This inhibition leads to decreased synthesis of fatty acids, increased β-oxidation, reduced hepatic fat storage, and improved insulin resistance[4][5]. Additional mechanisms include modulation of the ABCA1 transporter for cholesterol efflux and enhancement of antioxidant pathways via increased glutathione levels[4][5][8]. Aramchol has shown efficacy in reducing liver fat content, improving metabolic parameters associated with NASH/NAFLD, resolving NASH histology, and reducing fibrosis in preclinical models and clinical trials[1][2]. It is currently under investigation in phase 3/4 clinical trials for NASH[2].

Other names

arachidyl amido cholanoic acidFABAC (fatty-acid/bile-acid conjugate)