1. Academic Validation
  2. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang improves thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis by reversing ACSL4-mediated lipid accumulation and promoting mitophagy

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang improves thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis by reversing ACSL4-mediated lipid accumulation and promoting mitophagy

  • J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Jun 13:118456. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118456.
Jianzhi Wu 1 Liping Gong 2 Yufei Li 3 Jiaorong Qu 1 Yang Yang 3 Ruiyu Wu 3 Guifang Fan 3 Mingning Ding 1 Kaihong Xie 1 Fanghong Li 3 Xiaojiaoyang Li 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
  • 2 The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shan Dong University, 247 Bei Yuan Da Jie, Jinan, 250033, China.
  • 3 School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China.
  • 4 School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. Electronic address: xiaojiaoyang.li@bucm.edu.cn.
Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Liver fibrosis is a generic fibrous scarring event resulting from accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, easily progressing to end-stage liver diseases. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula applied in clinics to treat gynecological and chronic liver diseases. However, the role of THSWT on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis and the specific mechanisms remains unclear.

Aim of the study: To investigate the improving effects of THSWT on TAA-insulted hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods: UHPLC-MS/MS was performed to explore the chemical characterization of THSWT. Mice were orally administered with THSWT once daily for 6 weeks along with TAA challenge. Liver function was reflected through serum biomarkers and histopathological staining. RNA Sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics and Molecular Biology experiments were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Results: THSWT profoundly repaired lipid metabolism dysfunction and blocked collagen accumulation both in TAA-stimulated mice and in hepatocytes. Results of RNA Sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that the anti-fibrotic effects of THSWT mostly relied on lipid metabolism repairment by increasing levels of acetyl-CoA, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and decreasing relative abundances of acyl-CoA, total Cholesterol, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. Mechanically, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases 4 (ACSL4) was a key profibrotic target both in human and mice by disrupting lipid oxidation and metabolism in hepatic mitochondria. THSWT effectively blocked ACSL4 and promoted Mitophagy to reverse above outcomes, which was verified by Mitophagy depletion.

Conclusion: THSWT may be a promising therapeutic option for treating hepatic fibrosis and its complications by modulating lipid metabolism and promoting Mitophagy in livers.

Keywords

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang; lipid metabolism; liver fibrosis; long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases 4; mitophagy.

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