Gancao decoction ameliorated senecionine-induced Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in mice by inhibiting NET formation and senecionine bioactivation in liver.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In China, pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) accounts for approximately 50.0-88.6% of all HSOS cases, primarily resulting from inadvertent ingestion of Gynura japonica (Thunb.) Juel. (Tǔ sān qī). Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Gān cǎo), a classical hepatoprotective herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has recently demonstrated significant protective effects against PA-induced HSOS in murine models. However, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. AIM OF STUDY: This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Gancao decoction (GCD) and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in PA-induced HSOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HSOS was induced in mice by senecionine (SEN), followed by treatment with GCD or enoxaparin (ENO, positive control). Histopathological and therapeutic efficacy was assessed by histopathological examination and serum biochemical analyses. Neutrophil depletion was employed to investigate the contribution of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to the protective effects of GCD. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify potential targets of GCD. Mechanistic studies were investigated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF). In addition, the inhibitory effect of GCD on SEN bioactivation was evaluated using human liver microsomes (HLMs). RESULTS: GCD improved serum biochemistry and hepatic histopathology in SEN-induced HSOS mice. Mechanistically, GCD suppressed intrahepatic neutrophil chemotaxis, thereby reducing NET formation and alleviating immunothrombosis. Furthermore, GCD inhibited the hepatic formation of dehydropyrrolizidine (DHP), the reactive metabolite responsible for SEN-induced HSOS. CONCLUSION: GCD attenuated SEN-induced HSOS through dual mechanisms: (1) suppression of chemokine-driven neutrophil chemotaxis, leading to reduced NET formation and immunothrombosis; (2) inhibiting of SEN bioactivation. These findings provide mechanistic support for the ethnopharmacological use of Gancao in PA-HSOS and highlight its potential for clinical translation.