Unreported Phenolic Glycoside from Strychnos nux-vomica Branches Attenuates Acute Liver Injury with the Participation of the Nrf2 Pathway.

Acute liver injury (ALI) has emerged as a significant public health challenge, driving the need for novel therapeutic strategies. While the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L. are widely used in traditional clinics, the hepatoprotective potential of its pruning branches remains poorly explored. The crude branch extract relieved obvious hepatic injury, and bioactivity-guided chromatography isolated an undescribed phenolic glycoside from the raw plant material. This monomer boosted cellular antioxidant capability, regulated disrupted lipid metabolism, and adjusted ferroptosis-related changes with the involvement of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. This work supplies a promising natural hepatoprotective candidate and advances sustainable utilization of the plant-branch resources.