AUTHOR=Miao Zhimin , Lai Yong , Zhao Yingying , Chen Lingmin , Zhou Jianeng , Li Chunyan , Wang Yan 

TITLE=Protective Property of Scutellarin Against Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.710692

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.710692

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Liver injury is a clinical disorder caused by toxins, drugs, and alcohol stimulation without effective therapeutic approaches thus far. Scutellarin (SCU), isolated from the edible herb <italic>Erigeron breviscapus</italic> (Vant.) Hand. -Mazz. showed potential hepatoprotective effects, but the mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, transcriptomics combined with nontargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were performed to elucidate the functional mechanisms of SCU in carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>)–induced liver injury in mice. The results showed that SCU exerted potential hepatoprotective effects against CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced liver injury by repressing CYP2E1 and IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathways, modulating the gut microbiota (especially enriching <italic>Lactobacillus</italic>), and regulating the endogenous metabolites involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis. SCU originates from a functional food that appears to be a promising agent to guard against liver injury.</p>