Yajieshaba extract improves alcohol‑induced liver injury by regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

Abstract

Background: Yajieshaba, a commonly used Dai medicine formula, is renowned for its hepatoprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Yajieshaba on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in mice, focusing the gut-liver axis.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were pair-fed the Lieber-DeCarli control or ethanol-containing diet for 8 weeks, with or without Yajieshaba co-administration. Serum biomarkers were assessed using biochemical kits. Liver pathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining. Intestinal barrier integrity was assessed by H&E staining and immunofluorescence of tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1). Hepatic lipid composition was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gut microbiota diversity was profiled by 16 S rRNA sequencing.

Results: Yajieshaba significantly attenuated ethanol-induced liver injury, steatosis, and intestinal barrier disruption. Multi-omics integration revealed that Yajieshaba mitigated ALD progression by restoring gut microbial homeostasis and regulating hepatic lipid metabolism.

Conclusion: This study elucidates the therapeutic mechanism of Yajieshaba from the perspective of the gut microbiome-lipid metabolism axis, providing a novel perspective and experimental basis for further ALD management.