The potential role of febrile condition in reversing the hepatoprotective effects of quercetin in the livers of LPS-presensitized mice

Efficacy and mechanism of iridoid glycosides from Gentianella turkestanorum (Gand.) Holub on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis based on RNA sequencing

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an important component of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Gentianella turkestanorum (Gands.) Holub is a traditional monk medicine used for the treatment of hepatitis, and total iridoid glycosides from it (GTI) are the main active substances in the treatment of liver diseases. However, the role and mechanism of GTI in NASH remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of GTI in treating NASH induced by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The efficacy of GTI against aberrant lipid metabolism was evaluated in vitro in L02 cells and in vivo in a C57BL/6 NASH mouse model. Based on these evaluations in L02 cells and C57BL/6 NASH mice, swertiamarine (SWT) was identified as a potential active component of GTI. RNA sequencing was performed to further explore the therapeutic effects of SWT on the liver. The analysis identified the targeting of key signalling pathways PPARα, p53, and MAPKp38. The therapeutic efficacy of SWT was validated using siRNAs or agonists against PPARα or MAPKp38.

RESULTS

In this study, a combination of ex vivo and in vivo experiments was used to ascertain the mitigating effects of GTI and SWT on NASH. The efficacy was correlated with PPARα, p53, and MAPKp38 pathways, as determined by RNA sequencing. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that SWT influenced the expression of PPARα, p-p53, Caspase3, Bax, Bcl2, and p-MAPKp38. However, the efficacy of SWT is counteracted when PPARα is inhibited with siRNAs or MAPKp38 is activated with DHC in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

SWT, a potential active ingredient in GTI, may have a therapeutic effect on abnormal L02 lipid metabolism and NASH in mice by affecting the PPARα/MAPK/p53 signalling pathway. Therefore, SWT holds potential clinical application in the prevention and treatment of NASH.

Efficacy and mechanism of action of Yanxiao Di'naer formula for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treatment based on metabolomics and RNA sequencing

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a crucial component of this disease spectrum. The Yanxiao Di'naer formula (YXDNE) is an Uyghur medical extract that has been used in folk medicine to treat hepatitis for a long time. However, the role and mechanism of action of YXDNE in NASH treatment remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of YXDNE in treating NASH induced by injections of carbon tetrachloride combined with a high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD), and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The compounds in the YXDNE extract were analysed for classification and proportions using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The efficacy of YXDNE in treating abnormal lipid metabolism was evaluated in L02 cells in vitro. In addition, a C57BL/6 mouse model of NASH was established to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of YXDNE in vivo. Metabolomics and RNA sequencing were used to analyse the therapeutic effects of YXDNE on the liver. The corresponding signalling pathways were found to target AMPKα1, PPARα, and NF-κB. The efficacy of YXDNE was validated using inhibitors or silencing RNA (siRNA) against AMPKα1 and PPARα.

RESULTS

This study confirmed that YXDNE treatment ameliorated NASH in a murine model of this disease. Metabolomics analysis suggested that YXDNE efficacy was associated with fatty acid catabolism and AMPK signalling pathways. RNA sequencing results showed that YXDNE efficacy in treating NASH was highly correlated with the AMPK, PPARα and NF-κB pathways. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental data demonstrated that YXDNE affected the expression of p-AMPKα1, PPARα, p-NF-κB, IκB, and p-IκB. The efficacy of YXDNE in treating NASH in vitro was cancelled when AMPK was inhibited with Compound C or PPARα was modulated via siRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

YXDNE may have a therapeutic effect on abnormal lipid metabolism in L02 cells and in a murine model of NASH by affecting the AMPKα1/PPARα/NF-κB signalling pathway. Therefore, YXDNE has the potential for clinical application in the prevention and treatment of NASH.