Clinical formulation Zhigan Oral Liquid intervenes in alcoholic liver injury by regulating the intestinal flora and PI3K⧵AKT⧵NF-κB pathway

Abstract

Introduction

Zhigan Oral Liquid (ZOL) was developed from the empirical formulation of Professor Zhao Wenxia, a nationally renowned practitioner of Chinese medicine, and it has been used in Chinese medicine for many years for the effective treatment of alcoholic liver damage (ALD). However, the interventional mechanism of action of the dosage indications for different stages of ALD pathogenesis is not clear.

Methods

The main chemical components of ZOL were qualitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) in tandem with quadrupole electrostatic field orbital well high resolution mass spectrometry and quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacological analysis was performed to predict the targets and pathways of the potential pharmacodynamic components. The pharmacodynamic effects and potential target mechanisms were verified in a murine model of ALD. To observe the effect of ZOL on the intestinal flora, 16s rDNA sequencing was performed on ALD mice.

Results

ZOL can achieve alcohol detoxification by increasing the activity of ALDH and other detoxification enzymes and can intervene in the process of alcoholic liver injury and liver fibrosis by regulating the alcohol-induced bacterial dysbiosis, increasing the level of antioxidants, and inhibiting the activation of the PI3K\AKT\NF-κB signaling pathway. Kakkalide, Luteolin, Puerarin, tectoridin, and dihydromyricetin are related to the flavonoids that may be the main pharmacodynamic components that exert their medicinal effects.

Conclusions

The findings have significant implications for the development of Empirical treatments for alcoholic liver injury. Furthermore, the study contributes to promoting development and utilization of new dosage forms of hospital preparations by emphasizing the composition identification and animal experimental efficacy of ZOL. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into establishing an alcohol-induced liver injury model, and demonstrates the potential of ZOL as a common treatment for alcoholic liver injury a rich source.