Maoru Li, Zefeng Wang, Huan Zhai, Jiajiao Li, Ji Ma, Bin Qiu
PA improves MASLD through lipid metabolism regulation and antioxidant effects, primarily by activating the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway. These findings highlight PA's potential as a therapeutic agent for MASLD.
BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a rapidly growing metabolic disorder with no FDA-approved treatment. Pachymic acid (PA; synonym: 3-O-acetyltumulosic acid), a lanostane-type triterpenoid, shows potential for treating MASLD. However, its mechanisms remain underexplored.
OBJECTIVE: This work evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of PA in treating MASLD.
METHODS: The high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced zebrafish model, high-fat diet induced C57BL/6 mice model and free fatty acid (FFA)-treated BRL-3A cells was used to assess PA's anti- MASLD effects in vivo and in vitro.
RESULTS: PA improved lipid metabolism disrupted by HCD, reduced hepatic oxidative stress, as indicated by decreased MDA levels and increased SOD activity, and lowered inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. PA also enhanced antioxidant activity by regulating the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway. PA decreased Keap1 mRNA expression induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation. These effects suggest that PA inhibits ROS production by activating the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway and possibly by inhibiting Nrf2 degradation.
CONCLUSION: PA improves MASLD through lipid metabolism regulation and antioxidant effects, primarily by activating the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway. These findings highlight PA's potential as a therapeutic agent for MASLD.