
pmid: 41720009
Cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) are characterized by impaired bile acid (BA) homeostasis, chronic inflammation, and progressive fibrosis, for which effective pharmacological options remain limited. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) offers modest benefits and obeticholic acid (OCA) is constrained by tolerability issues, underscoring the need for novel therapeutics. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of Bruceine D (BD), a natural quassinoid compound, in murine models of cholestasis.Two complementary models were employed: Multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (Mdr2-/-) mice and α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis. Serum biochemistry, histopathology, bile acid profiling, and ultrastructural analyses were performed to assess hepatocellular injury and fibrosis. Mechanistic studies included gene and protein expression analyses, functional FXR luciferase reporter assays with pharmacological antagonism, and in vitro hepatocyte assays to interrogate BA metabolism, inflammatory responses, and FXR-dependent signaling.BD significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBIL) in both models, whereas direct bilirubin (DBIL) remained unaffected. Histological analyses demonstrated marked attenuation of hepatocellular injury, bile duct proliferation, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration. Notably, BD selectively suppressed classical BA synthesis enzymes (CYP7A1, CYP8B1, CYP27A1), while sparing CYP7B1 and major BA transporters. Quantitative BA profiling revealed a shift from hydrophobic, hepatotoxic species (CDCA, DCA, CA) toward hydrophilic and conjugated bile acids (TUDCA, TDCA, β-TMCA), accompanied by restoration of canalicular ultrastructure. BD attenuated inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and reduced fibrogenic responses. Mechanistically, BD functionally restored FXR signaling and reactivated the FXR-SHP-FGF15/19 feedback axis suppressed under cholestatic conditions. Short-term toxicological evaluation revealed no significant adverse effects in major organs.BD ameliorates cholestatic liver injury by selectively inhibiting classical BA synthesis, quantitatively remodeling the BA pool toward a less hepatotoxic profile, and suppressing inflammation and fibrosis through functional restoration of FXR-dependent feedback signaling. Its synthesis-centered mechanism and favorable short-term safety profile support BD as a promising therapeutic candidate for cholestatic liver diseases.
Male, Mice, Knockout, Cholestasis, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, Chenodeoxycholic Acid, Bile Acids and Salts, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Fibroblast Growth Factors, Mice, Disease Models, Animal, 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate, Liver, Animals, Signal Transduction
Male, Mice, Knockout, Cholestasis, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, Chenodeoxycholic Acid, Bile Acids and Salts, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Fibroblast Growth Factors, Mice, Disease Models, Animal, 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate, Liver, Animals, Signal Transduction
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
