Huangqin decoction alleviates lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by triggering Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological entity characterized by intrahepatic ectopic steatosis. As a consequence of increased consumption of high-calorie diet and adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of NAFLD has surpassed that of viral hepatitis, making it the most common cause of chronic liver disease globally. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a Chinese medicinal formulation that has been used clinically for thousands of years, has beneficial outcomes in patients with liver diseases, including NAFLD. However, the role and mechanism of action of HQD in lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in NAFLD remain poorly understood.

AIM:

To evaluate the ameliorative effects of HQD in NAFLD, with a focus on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action.

METHODS:

High-fat diet-induced NAFLD rats and palmitic acid (PA)-stimulated HepG2 cells were used to investigate the effects of HQD and identify its potential mechanism of action. Phytochemicals in HQD were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the key components.

RESULTS:

Ten primary chemical components of HQD were identified by HPLC analysis. In vivo, HQD effectively prevented rats from gaining body and liver weight, improved the liver index, ameliorated hepatic histological aberrations, decreased transaminase and lipid profile disorders, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and insulin resistance. In vitro studies revealed that HQD effectively alleviated PA-induced lipid accumulation, inflammation, and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. In-depth investigation revealed that HQD triggers Sirt1/NF-κB pathway-modulated lipogenesis and inflammation, contributing to its beneficial actions, which was further corroborated by the addition of the Sirt1 antagonist EX-527 that compromised the favorable effects of HQD.

CONCLUSION:

In summary, our study confirmed that HQD mitigates lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in NAFLD by triggering the Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.

• Authors: Bao-Fei Yan, Lan-Fen Pan, Yi-Fang Quan, Qian Sha, Jing-Zheng Zhang, Yi-Feng Zhang, Li-Bing Zhou, Xi-Long Qian, Xiao-Mei Gu, Feng-Tao Li, Ting Wang, Jia Liu, Xian Zheng
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 29 Issue 31 Pg. 4744-4762 (Aug 21 2023) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 37664157 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• NF-kappa B
• Sirtuin 1
• Lipids
• Sirt1 protein, rat

Topics

• Animals
• Rats
• NF-kappa B
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (drug therapy, etiology)
• Scutellaria baicalensis
• Lipid Metabolism
• Insulin Resistance
• Sirtuin 1
• Lipid Metabolism Disorders
• Inflammation
• Lipids