Jianpi Huoxue Formula Regulates Scar-Associated Macrophages and Scar-Associated Endothelial Cells to Inhibit HSC Activation for the Treatment of Hepatic Fibrosis

Chronic liver disease is a global health issue, and liver cirrhosis is the leading cause of death in chronic liver disease. Studies published in Nature have identified scar-associated macrophages (SAMs) and scar-associated endothelial cells (SAEndo) in cirrhotic tissues, which are significantly associated with the progression of liver fibrosis (LF). Jianpi Huoxue Formula is widely used in the treatment of LF, but its mechanism of action on SAMs and SAEndo remains unclear. The research team collected liver tissues from patients with liver cirrhosis (n=3) and liver tissues from cirrhotic patients after treatment with Jianpi Huoxue Formula (n=3). Single-cell sequencing of liver non-parenchymal cells was performed, and the results showed that Jianpi Huoxue Formula regulates SAMs and SAEndo to induce GUCY1A1+RGS5+ hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to resist LF progression. Through cell co-culture experiments, the team analyzed and verified the mechanism by which the formula regulates SAMs and SAEndo to induce phenotypic transformation of HSCs for anti-LF effects, providing new ideas and targets for the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of LF.