Exploring the mechanism of dendrobine in treating metabolic associated fatty liver disease based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the therapeutic mechanisms of dendrobine, a primary bioactive compound in Dendrobium nobile, for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD) management. Utilizing network pharmacology combined with experimental validation, the clinical effectiveness of dendrobine in MASLD treatment was assessed and analyzed. RESULTS: The study demonstrates significant improvement in liver function among MASLD patients treated with Dendrobium nobile. Network pharmacology identified key targets such as Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG), Interleukin 6 (IL6), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), Interleukin 1 Beta (IL1B), and AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1), with molecular docking confirming their interactions. Additionally, dendrobine significantly reduced ALT and AST levels in palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells, indicating hepatoprotective properties and amelioration of oxidative stress through decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels. CONCLUSION: Dendrobine mitigates liver damage in MASLD through modulating inflammatory and immune responses and affecting lipid metabolism, potentially by downregulating inflammatory mediators like TNF, IL6, IL1B, and inhibiting AKT1 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of dendrobine in MASLD treatment, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Progress on haptoglobin and metabolic diseases.

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acidic glycoprotein, existing in the serum and other body fluids of human beings and a variety of mammals. Hp is produced in the liver, white adipose tissue, and the kidney. The genetic polymorphisms and different phenotypes of Hp have different biological functions. Hp has antibacterial, antioxidant, and angiogenic effects and is associated with multiple diseases including simple obesity, vascular complications of diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, blood diseases, autoimmune diseases, and malignant tumors. Hp also participates in many life activities, indicating the importance of Hp in further studies. Previously, we found that the expression of serum Hp changed after treatment of simple obesity patients in clinical trials. However, the specific mechanism of Hp in patients with simple obesity is still unclear. The purpose of this article is to introduce recent research progress on Hp, emphasizing the relationship between Hp and the development of metabolic disease, which will improve the understanding of the functions of Hp underlying metabolic diseases and discuss future research directions.