Inhibitory effects of diterpenoids from Celastrus rosthornianus Lose. on lipid accumulation.

This study investigated the ethnomedicine Celastrus rosthornianus Lose. for its chemical constituents and anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) potential. Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation of six diterpenoids (1-6), including two new structures (1 and 2). In a HepG2 cell model, compounds 2 and 6 significantly inhibited intracellular lipid accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that these active diterpenoids exert their anti-NAFLD effects by interfering with the maturation of the lipogenic transcription factor SREBP1, thereby suppressing the de novo lipogenesis (DNL) pathway. These findings not only expand the chemical profile of C. rosthornianus Lose., but also highlight specific diterpenoids as promising candidates for further development as NAFLD therapeutics.