Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang protects against methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats and is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis - Summary - MDSpire

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang protects against methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats and is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis

  • By

  • Luyao Xu

  • Qiuling Li

  • Chengqin Lu

  • Mincheng Zheng

  • Wenhai Guo

  • Yun Chen

  • Jiaying Dai

  • Yao Deng

  • Ning Zhang

  • Kanlin Yang

  • Xinling Chen

  • Kangrong Wang

  • Guohang Yan

  • Hantao Li

  • Rui Duan

  • Jiean Xu

  • Wei Liu

  • Hongzhi Yang

  • Jinwen Xu

  • Min Dai

  • Yaxing Zhang

  • July 6, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the therapeutic effect of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) on hepatic steatosis induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet in rats and its underlying mechanisms.

Approach:
  • Study Design: Rats were divided into control, model, and treatment groups receiving varying doses of THSWT after being fed an MCD diet for two weeks.
  • Evaluation Methods: Hepatic steatosis was assessed using H&E staining, Oil Red O staining, and qPCR for lipid metabolism-related genes, along with immunoblotting for key proteins.
Key Findings:
  • THSWT (2.5 g/kg/day) significantly alleviated hepatic steatosis and slight fibrosis in MCD diet-fed rats.
  • THSWT treatment reduced levels of hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing hepatic GSH levels.
  • THSWT inhibited TLR4/9-IKK-NF-κB-TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-18 innate immune signaling and apoptosis signaling pathways.
Interpretation:

THSWT may alleviate hepatic steatosis through mechanisms involving the reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis.

Limitations:
  • The study was conducted on a small sample size of rats (n = 3-4 for dose exploration and n = 7 for confirmation).
  • Further studies are needed to confirm the effects in larger populations and different models.
Conclusion:

THSWT shows potential as a therapeutic agent for hepatic steatosis, warranting further exploration in clinical settings.

Original Source(s)

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang protects against methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats and is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis

  • by Luyao Xu, Qiuling Li, Chengqin Lu, Mincheng Zheng, Wenhai Guo, Yun Chen, Jiaying Dai, Yao Deng, Ning Zhang, Kanlin Yang, Xinling Chen, Kangrong Wang, Guohang Yan, Hantao Li, Rui Duan, Jiean Xu, Wei Liu, Hongzhi Yang, Jinwen Xu, Min Dai, Yaxing Zhang

  • July 6, 2026

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