Artemisia capillaris Thunb. aqueous extract alleviates Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease through modulating the gut-liver axis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease. Artemisia capillaris Thunb, a natural medicinal plant with hepatoprotective and cholagogic properties, is commonly used to treat jaundice and cholestasis. This study evaluates the potential therapeutic effects of Artemisia capillaris Thunb aqueous extract (ACTE) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD mouse model by observing mouse phenotypes, conducting biochemical analyses, performing 16S rRNA gene sequencing, utilizing bile acid-targeted metabolomics, and applying molecular biology techniques to comprehensively explore the mechanisms of ACTE. The results demonstrate that ACTE ameliorates obesity and hepatic lipid accumulation in MASLD mice, modulates gut microbiota composition, activates the FXR signaling pathway, enhances bile acid enterohepatic circulation, strengthens intestinal barrier integrity, and alleviates liver inflammation and pyroptosis by inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that ACTE exerts its potential intervention through the interplay between gut microbiota and liver in combating MASLD.