Deacetylasperulosidic acid methyl ester attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating the SCFAs-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis

Eur J Pharmacol. 2026 Apr 15;1021:178830. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178830. Epub 2026 Mar 27.

ABSTRACT

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological consequence of chronic liver injury, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition, hepatocellular damage and persistent inflammation, which may progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, no specific and effective antifibrotic therapies are available. Deacetylasperulosidic acid methyl ester (DAM), a natural iridoid compound derived from Rubiaceae plants, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its antifibrotic effects and underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, a CCl₄-induced mouse model was employed to investigate the protective effects of DAM against liver fibrosis. DAM treatment markedly improved hepatic architectural disruption and attenuated hepatocellular necrosis, significantly reducing in serum ALT, AST and ALP levels. Sirius red and Masson staining demonstrated that DAM significantly decreased hepatic collagen deposition and hydroxyproline content. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that DAM downregulated α-SMA and Col1a1 expression, suppressing of hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis. Metabolomic analysis showed that DAM restored fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, including acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric and isovaleric acids, disrupted by CCl₄ exposure. Molecular docking, immunofluorescence and protein assays indicated that DAM binds to Wnt1 and β-catenin with high affinity and inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling by downregulating Wnt1, β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, Axin2, c-Myc and Cyclin D1. Moreover, DAM upregulated the expression of SCFA receptors GPR41 and GPR43, enhanced H3K9ac and suppressed HDAC1 expression, suggesting epigenetic modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Collectively, DAM attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating the SCFAs-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, providing new insights into gut-liver axis regulation and supporting DAM as a promising antifibrotic candidate.

PMID:41905442 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178830