Hepatoprotective effects of Hovenia dulcis seeds against alcoholic liver injury and related mechanisms investigated via network pharmacology

Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide prevents alcohol-associated liver disease in mice by modulating the gut microbiota-tryptophan metabolism-AHR pathway axis

Polysaccharides are one of the main active components of Schisandra chinensis and have been shown to possess diverse biological activities. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide (SCP) on alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) by chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding and the underlying mechanisms. The results suggest that supplementation with SCP prevents ALD by modulating gut microbiota and tryptophan (Trp) metabolism. SCP significantly enriched intestinal Lactobacillus, especially Lactobacillus reuteri, restored the content of intestinal indole derivatives (TRM, IAA, ILA, IALD) that can activate the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), increased the colon AHR pathway activity, repaired intestinal barriers damage, reduced the circulating LPS, and inhibited the liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation. The in vitro Trp metabolizing capacity was used to selected for a strain of L.reuteri whose in vitro proliferation was similarly promoted by SCP. Importantly, the gavage of the L.reuteri increased intestinal TRM content in mice. In addition, its ALD preventive effects were consistent with SCP and dependent on the colon AHR pathway. Our findings confirm that SCP may prevent ALD by mudulating the gut microbial-Trp metabolism-AHR pathway axis, suggesting that supplementation with the prebiotic SCP is an effective way to prevent ALD.

The dose-dependent mechanism behind the protective effect of lentinan against acute alcoholic liver injury via proliferating intestinal probiotics

Acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) is a widespread disease that can develop into hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening, while drug treatment presents various side effects. This study characterized the structure of natural lentinan (LNT) from the Qinba Mountain area and investigated the protective mechanism of different LNT doses (100 mg kg-1, 200 mg kg-1, and 400 mg kg-1) on AALI. The results showed that LNT was a glucose-dominated pyran polysaccharide with a triple-helical structure and a molecular weight (Mw) of 7.56 × 106 Da. An AALI mouse model showed that all the LNT doses protected liver function, reduced hepatic steatosis, alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and stimulated probiotic proliferation. Low-dose LNT increased anti-oxidant-associated beneficial bacteria, medium-dose LNT improved liver swelling and promoted anti-oxidant-associated probiotics, and high-dose LNT increased the probiotics that helped protect liver function and anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. All the LNT doses inhibited pathogenic growth, including Oscillospiraceae, Weeksellaceae, Streptococcaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Morganellaceae, and Proteus. These results indicated that the protective effect of LNT against AALI was mediated by the proliferation of various intestinal probiotics and was related to the consumption doses. These findings offer new strategies for comprehensively utilizing Lentinula edodes from the Qinba Mountain area and preventing AALI using natural food-based substances.

Mechanism of Xing 9 ling tablet candy for alcoholic liver disease based on network pharmacology

Xing 9 Ling tablet candy (X9LTC) effectively treats alcoholic liver disease (ALD), but its potential mechanism and molecular targets remain unstudied. We aimed to address this gap using network pharmacology. Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and database analysis revealed a total of 35 active ingredients and 311 corresponding potential targets of X9LTC. Protein interaction analysis revealed PTGS2, JUN, and FOS as its core targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, IL-17 and TNF signaling pathway were enriched by multiple core targets, which might be the main pathway of action. Further molecular docking validation showed that the core targets had good binding activities with the identified compounds. Animal experiments showed that X9LTC could reduce the high expression of ALT, AST and TG in the serum of ALD mice, alleviate the lesions in liver tissues, and reverse the high expression of PTGS2, JUN, and FOS proteins in the liver tissues. In this study, we established a method for the determination of X9LTC content for the first time, and predicted its active ingredient and mechanism of action in treating ALD, providing theoretical basis for further research.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of lipids in liver cells owing to the metabolism of ethanol. This process leads to a decrease in the NAD+/NADH ratio and the generation of reactive oxygen species. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the role of oxidative stress in AFLD. A total of 201 eligible manuscripts were included, which revealed that animals with AFLD exhibited elevated expression of CYP2E1, decreased enzymatic activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced levels of the transcription factor Nrf2, which plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, animals with AFLD exhibited increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers and carbonylated proteins, collectively contributing to a weakened antioxidant defense and increased oxidative damage. The liver damage in AFLD was supported by significantly higher activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes. Moreover, animals with AFLD had increased levels of triacylglycerol in the serum and liver, likely due to reduced fatty acid metabolism caused by decreased PPAR-α expression, which is responsible for fatty acid oxidation, and increased expression of SREBP-1c, which is involved in fatty acid synthesis. With regard to inflammation, animals with AFLD exhibited elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a, IL-1β, and IL-6. The heightened oxidative stress, along with inflammation, led to an upregulation of cell death markers, such as caspase-3, and an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Overall, the findings of the review and meta-analysis indicate that ethanol metabolism reduces important markers of antioxidant defense while increasing inflammatory and apoptotic markers, thereby contributing to the development of AFLD.

Hovenia dulcis Fruit Peduncle Polysaccharides Reduce Intestinal Dysbiosis and Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism Disorders in Alcohol-Exposed Mice

Alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic liver disease, becoming a major global burden. Hovenia dulcis fruit peduncle polysaccharides (HDPs) have the potential to alleviate alcoholic liver injury and play essential roles in treating alcohol-exposed liver disease; however, the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of HDPs and their potential mechanisms in alcohol-exposed mice through liver metabolomics and gut microbiome. The results found that HDPs reduced medium-dose alcohol-caused dyslipidemia (significantly elevated T-CHO, TG, LDL-C), elevated liver glycogen levels, and inhibited intestinal-hepatic inflammation (significantly decreased IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α), consequently reversing hepatic pathological changes. When applying gut microbiome analysis, HDPs showed significant decreases in Proteobacteria, significant increases in Firmicutes at the phylum level, increased Lactobacillus abundance, and decreased Enterobacteria abundance, maintaining the composition of gut microbiota. Further hepatic metabolomics analysis revealed that HDPs had a regulatory effect on hepatic fatty acid metabolism, by increasing the major metabolic pathways including arachidonic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, and identified two important metabolites-C00157 (phosphatidylcholine, a glycerophospholipid plays a central role in energy production) and C04230 (1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, a lysophospholipid involved in the breakdown of phospholipids)-involved in the above metabolism. Overall, HDPs reduced intestinal dysbiosis and hepatic fatty acid metabolism disorders in alcohol-exposed mice, suggesting that HDPs have a beneficial effect on alleviating alcohol-induced hepatic metabolic disorders.

Hovenia dulcis: a Chinese medicine that plays an essential role in alcohol-associated liver disease

Globally, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) has become an increased burden for society. Disulfirams, Benzodiazepines (BZDs), and corticosteroids are commonly used to treat ALD. However, the occurrence of side effects such as hepatotoxicity and dependence, impedes the achievement of desirable and optimal therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more effective and safer treatments. Hovenia dulcis is an herbal medicine promoting alcohol removal clearance, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. Hovenia dulcis has a variety of chemical components such as dihydromyricetin, quercetin and beta-sitosterol, which can affect ALD through multiple pathways, including ethanol metabolism, immune response, hepatic fibrosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, lipid metabolism, and intestinal barrier, suggesting its promising role in the treatment of ALD. Thus, this work aims to comprehensively review the chemical composition of Hovenia dulcis and the molecular mechanisms involved in the process of ALD treatment.

Ambient particulate matter exposure plus chronic ethanol ingestion exacerbates hepatic fibrosis by triggering the mitochondrial ROS-ferroptosis signaling pathway in mice

BACKGROUND

Chronic ethanol ingestion causes persistent oxidative stresses in the liver, leading to hepatic injury and fibrosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, ambient particulate matter (PM) has been confirmed to aggravate high-fat diet-induced liver fibrosis by enhancing oxidative stress. Thus, we hypothesized that oxidative stress induced by ambient PM exposure increases the severity of liver fibrosis caused by ethanol ingestion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

C57BL/6 mice were subjected to ambient PM inhalation, ethanol ingestion or ambient PM-plus-ethanol ingestion for 12 weeks. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MtROS), liver fibrosis and ferroptosis indicators in the liver were evaluated. In vitro, oxidative stress, MtROS, ferroptosis indicators, profibrotic molecules and fibrosis markers in hepatic stellate (LX-2) cells were also determined. We found that ethanol ingestion markedly elevated hepatic oxidative stress and MtROS levels, triggered hepatic ferroptosis, and induced liver fibrosis, along with upregulation of the profibrotic molecule TGF-β1 and fibrosis marker collagen-I, in mice. Moreover, the combination of ambient PM and ethanol accelerated these adverse effects. Importantly, the combination of PM exposure and ethanol ingestion had a synergistic effect on these changes. In vitro, LX-2 cells activated with PM_2.5 alone or combined with ethanol showed upregulation of TGF-β1 and collagen-I. In addition, the levels of MtROS, the oxidative stress marker 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and ferroptosis-related proteins and the GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in PM_2.5 plus ethanol-treated LX-2 cells. After pretreatment with a MtROS scavenger (Mito-TEMPO), we found that Mito-TEMPO treatment inhibited ferroptosis and oxidative stress in PM_2.5 plus ethanol-treated LX-2 cells. Furthermore, a specific ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) decreased the levels of ferroptosis-related proteins and profibrotic molecules in activated LX-2 cells co-exposed to PM_2.5 and ethanol.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we revealed that ambient PM exposure induced profibrotic effects and that combined exposure to ambient PM and chronic ethanol ingestion exacerbated hepatic fibrosis, which may trigger ferroptosis by increasing MtROS, thereby activating hepatic stellate cells.

Revisiting chloroplast genomic landscape and annotation towards comparative chloroplast genomes of Rhamnaceae

BACKGROUND

Massive parallel sequencing technologies have enabled the elucidation of plant phylogenetic relationships from chloroplast genomes at a high pace. These include members of the family Rhamnaceae. The current Rhamnaceae phylogenetic tree is from 13 out of 24 Rhamnaceae chloroplast genomes, and only one chloroplast genome of the genus Ventilago is available. Hence, the phylogenetic relationships in Rhamnaceae remain incomplete, and more representative species are needed.

RESULTS

The complete chloroplast genome of Ventilago harmandiana Pierre was outlined using a hybrid assembly of long- and short-read technologies. The accuracy and validity of the final genome were confirmed with PCR amplifications and investigation of coverage depth. Sanger sequencing was used to correct for differences in lengths and nucleotide bases between inverted repeats because of the homopolymers. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed using prevalent methods for phylogenetic inference were topologically similar. The clustering based on codon usage was congruent with the molecular phylogenetic tree. The groups of genera in each tribe were in accordance with tribal classification based on molecular markers. We resolved the phylogenetic relationships among six Hovenia species, three Rhamnus species, and two Ventilago species. Our reconstructed tree provides the most complete and reliable low-level taxonomy to date for the family Rhamnaceae. Similar to other higher plants, the RNA editing mostly resulted in converting serine to leucine. Besides, most genes were subjected to purifying selection. Annotation anomalies, including indel calling errors, unaligned open reading frames of the same gene, inconsistent prediction of intergenic regions, and misannotated genes, were identified in the published chloroplast genomes used in this study. These could be a result of the usual imperfections in computational tools, and/or existing errors in reference genomes. Importantly, these are points of concern with regards to utilizing published chloroplast genomes for comparative genomic analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, we successfully demonstrated the use of comprehensive genomic data, including DNA and amino acid sequences, to build a reliable and high-resolution phylogenetic tree for the family Rhamnaceae. Additionally, our study indicates that the revision of genome annotation before comparative genomic analyses is necessary to prevent the propagation of errors and complications in downstream analysis and interpretation.

Hepatoprotective effect of botanical drug formula on high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting lipogenesis and promoting anti-oxidation

With the prevalence of obesity and other components of metabolic syndrome, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become increasingly common. In recent years, much attention has been paid to various plant sources, hoping to find a treatment for NAFLD in plants. The Livsooth authentic herbal formula (LAH, ), a botanical drug formula combined with Puerariae lobatae radix, Lonicerae japonicae flos, Hoveniae semen, and Siraitiae fructus. This study used a network pharmacology approach to predict the potential mechanisms of LAH against NAFLD. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses have identified potential biochemical and signaling pathways. Subsequently, the potential mechanism of action of LAH on NAFLD predicted by network pharmacology analysis was validated in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD model in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that LAH ameliorated hepatocyte steatosis in liver tissue by activating the AMPK pathway and decreasing serum triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, and cholesterol. Besides, LAH increased the hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities, suggested that LAH improved oxidative stress markers in HFD induced NAFLD mice. In vitro experiments confirmed that the active component of LAH, puerarin, regulates lipid accumulation through the AMPK pathway. In conclusion, our study shows that network pharmacology predictions are consistent with experimental validation. LAH can be a candidate supplement for the prevention of NAFLD.

Myricetin (3,3',4',5,5',7-hexahydroxyflavone) prevents ethanol-induced biochemical and inflammatory damage in the liver of Wistar rats

Purpose: The current investigation was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of myricetin in ethanol-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Research Design: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups with six animals per group. Group-I animals were administered with vehicle (distilled water), Group II, III, and IV were treated orally with sequential (per week) increase in the dose of ethanol (5, 8, 10, and 12 g/kg b wt per week in each group) for 28 days. Myricetin was treated orally to Group-III and IV animals at the respective doses of 25 mg/kg b wt. and 50 mg/kg b wt. Results: Our results showed that myricetin prevented hepatotoxicity by modulating the production of free radicals, ethanol metabolizing enzymes, and inflammatory markers in vivo. Myricetin also helped maintain lipid membrane integrity, oxidant-antioxidant status, and histoarchitecture. Ethanol administration caused elevation in XO, ADH, and CYP2E1 in hepatic tissue, which significantly normalized with myricetin administration. After ethanol administration, there was a steep increase in the hepatotoxicity biomarkers, including ALT, MDA, and AST. The level of cytotoxicity marker LDH also increased after ethanol administration; myricetin administration decreased the level of all these markers. Moreover, myricetin treatment also reduced ethanol-induced inflammatory markers such as NF-κB and IL-6. Conclusion: Findings from the current study demonstrate that myricetin administration prevents alcohol-induced hepatic injury by influencing the metabolism of ethanol, inhibiting oxidative stress, maintaining lipid profile, and suppressing inflammatory markers.

Comprehensive investigation on metabolites of Panax quinquefolium L. in two main producing areas of China based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Jilin Province and Shandong Province are two main American ginseng (AG) producing areas in China. The geographical difference existed in these two provinces. Aiming at evaluating the similarities and differences of the secondary metabolites, the comprehensive metabolite profiling of AG from Jilin Province (AGJ) and Shandong Province (AGS) was performed based on UPLC-QTOF-MS for the first time. In screening analysis, a total of 111 shared compounds, with ginsenosides being major components, were identified or tentatively characterized, which indicated that AGJ and AGS were all rich in phytochemicals and contained similar structural types. Untargeted metabolomics analysis indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of certain constituents in AGJ and AGS. Nineteen (12 for AGJ, 7 for AGS) potential producing area-dependent chemical markers were discovered. Based on the contents and MS responses, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, and pseudoginsenoside F11 could be considered as the characteristical markers of AGJ, whereas ginsenoside Rg3 and Rh2 of AGS. This comprehensive phytochemical profile study could provide valuable chemical evidence for evaluating the characteristics qualities of AG from various producing areas.