Analyzing and Testing Herbal Pair for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Jim Crocker
15th August, 2024

Analyzing and Testing Herbal Pair for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Southern Medical University, China, studied the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine drug pair, SRDP, on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • They identified luteolin as the core active metabolite in SRDP that reduces fat accumulation in liver cells
  • Luteolin works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway and activating autophagy, offering a potential new treatment for NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rapidly growing health concern worldwide, often linked with metabolic syndrome. It ranges from simple fatty liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver, NAFL) to a more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer[2]. Despite its prevalence, there are no approved specific clinical drugs for NAFLD, making the search for effective treatments crucial. A recent study conducted by Southern Medical University, China, explores the potential of a traditional Chinese medicine drug pair, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge-Reynoutria japonica Houtt. (SRDP), in treating NAFLD[1]. This study utilized network analysis and in vitro experimental verification to investigate the effects of SRDP on lipid deposition and its possible mechanisms. The researchers began by using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) to screen the active metabolites of SRDP and their corresponding targets. They also used the GeneCards and OMIM databases to identify NAFLD targets. By extracting the drug-disease intersecting targets, they identified potential targets for SRDP in treating NAFLD. The study constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) and drug-active metabolites-target-disease network map. This map facilitated the identification of 59 active metabolites and 89 targets of SRDP relevant to NAFLD treatment. Further analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) revealed 112 enriched signaling pathways, including the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The core active metabolite identified was luteolin. In vitro experiments confirmed that luteolin effectively reduced fat accumulation and intracellular triglyceride content in a HepG2 fatty liver cell model. The study found that luteolin could inhibit the mTOR pathway by suppressing PI3K-AKT signaling pathway phosphorylation, thereby activating autophagy to alleviate NAFLD. The findings from this study align with previous research on the progression and treatment of NAFLD and NASH. For instance, it is known that liver fibrosis progresses in both NAFL and NASH patients, though at different rates[3]. The identification of luteolin as a potential therapeutic agent is particularly significant given the current lack of FDA-approved treatments for NAFLD[2][4]. This study not only highlights a promising new therapeutic approach but also provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in NAFLD progression. In conclusion, the study by Southern Medical University offers valuable insights into the potential use of SRDP, specifically its active metabolite luteolin, in treating NAFLD. By targeting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and promoting autophagy, luteolin presents a novel approach to mitigating lipid deposition in the liver. This research paves the way for further exploration and development of effective treatments for NAFLD, addressing a significant unmet medical need.

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References

Main Study

1) Network analysis and experimental verification of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge-Reynoutria japonica Houtt. drug pair in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Published 14th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04600-4

Related Studies

2) Current treatment paradigms and emerging therapies for NAFLD/NASH.

Journal: Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition), Issue: Vol 26, Issue 2, Jan 2021

3) Fibrosis progression in nonalcoholic fatty liver vs nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of paired-biopsy studies.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2014.04.014

4) Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105849


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