Integrative transcriptomics and microbiomicsto exploring the mechanism of Lonicerae japonicae flos-alleviated alcoholic liver disease.

Lonicerae japonicae Flos (LJF) is a well-known medicinal and food homologous (MFH) plant used for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Our preliminary study indicated that LJF can intervene in alcoholic liver injury (ALI); however, the relationship between genes and gut microbiota in preventing ALI is less clear in the context of LJF. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the effects of LJF on inflammation and gut microbiota to prevent ALI using multi-omics analysis. Based on the RNA-Seq, we found that 1689 genes showed differential expression in the LJF group compared to model group. These genes are enriched with functions related to immune response, inflammation, and lipometabolism, such as PPAR signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and so on. RNA-seq results showed that LJF may protect the liver from injuries through the PPAR/NF-κB pathway. Interestingly, LJF changed the gut microbiota and composition in ALI rat based on α-diversity and β-diversity, and enriched the Akkermansia, Bifidobacteriaceae, Bacteroides, Blautia, Romboutsia by using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. An integrative analysis revealed that the function of the gut microbiome in ALI is significantly associated with the PPAR signaling pathway and the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that LJF exerts a hepatoprotective effect by alleviating inflammation, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and restoring the balance of the gut microbiota.