Multi-omics reveals that 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol ameliorates acute liver injury by modulating the miR-30e-3p/Tfrc axis and a multi-dimensional network of ferroptosis, inflammation, metabolism, and gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Overuse of acetaminophen (APAP) can induce acute liver injury (ALI), and its mechanism is closely related to ferroptosis. 4'-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol (5-O) is a natural coumarin glycoside with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but whether it can alleviate liver injury through intervention in ferroptosis and multi-dimensional mechanisms remains unclear.

PURPOSE: To explore whether 5-O can alleviate APAP-induced ALI through multiple mechanisms such as inhibiting ferroptosis, regulating inflammation, promoting lipid metabolism, and reshaping the intestinal microbiota .

METHODS: Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, combined with CCK-8, Western blot, whole transcriptome sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing, FMT and other techniques and methods, the mechanism of 5-O was evaluated from multiple levels such as cells, tissues, metabolism and flora.

RESULTS: 5-O downregulated Tfrc/Slc39a14 in cells to reduce iron intake and upregulated Slc7a11/GPX4 to enhance antioxidant capacity. It reduced serum ALT/AST, alleviated liver tissue pathological damage, inhibited the expression of chemokines and inflammatory factors, and activated the PPARα-Fabp1/Me1 axis to promote lipid metabolism. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed that 5-O intervention was associated with upregulation of miR-30e-3p and downregulation of Tfrc, suggesting a potential role in modulating iron metabolism. Concurrently, the analysis indicated that 5-O treatment was linked to inhibition of the ferroptosis pathway and activation of the PPAR pathway. In addition, 5-O reshaped the intestinal microbiota, inhibited pro-inflammatory bacterial genera, and promoted the colonization of the probiotic Lactobacillus.

CONCLUSION: This study systematically clarified that the hepatoprotective effect of 5-O against APAP-induced liver injury is associated with a multi-dimensional network involving "ferroptosis-inflammation-metabolism-flora". The innovation lies in systematically elucidating the multi-faceted actions of a natural product, which may involve regulating ferroptosis through miR-30e-3p associated changes, cross-organ metabolic reprogramming, and microecological modulation. This work provides a candidate drug with multi-dimensional synergistic potential for the prevention and treatment of liver injury.