Chronic Disease Control

The effect of the Qushi Huoxue decoction on the AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway in free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cells

  • Weiqiang TAN ,
  • Li LIU ,
  • Xudong LIU ,
  • Yehuang WEI ,
  • Xiaoqian GONG ,
  • Rongrong WANG
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  • 1.Graduate School of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine,Nanning 530004,Guangxi,China
    2.Department of Hepatology,Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine,Nanning 530004,Guangxi,China

Received date: 2025-10-10

  Online published: 2026-02-09

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of Qushi Huoxue decoction (QSHXF) on free fatty acid (FFA)-induced HepG2 cells and its underlying mechanism. Methods In vitro cell experiments were conducted. First, the CCK-8 assay was used to determine the effects of different concentrations of QSHXF on HepG2 cells viability to select appropriate concentrations for subsequent experiments. A fatty liver cell model was then established by treating HepG2 cells with a mixture of 250 μmol/L sodium palmitate and 500 μmol/L sodium oleate for 24 h, followed by intervention with different concentrations of QSHXF-containing serum and AMPK inhibitor for another 24 h. Intracellular lipid droplet accumulation was observed using Oil Red O staining and lipid fluorescence staining. The levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured using the GPO-PAP enzymatic method. The TBA method and hydroxylamine method were used to detect malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), respectively, while ELISA was used to detect tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Furthermore, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins. Results QSHXF significantly improved the lipid deposition, oxidative stress and inflammatory response of FFA-induced HepG2 cells, markedly reduce the content of TC, TG, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β in cells and increase the activity of SOD (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, it increased the mRNA expression of AMPK and the protein ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK, while decreasing the mRNA and protein levels of SREBP1c, FASN, ACC1, and SCD1 (all P < 0.05). Conclusion QSHXF significantly improved lipid metabolism and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation in the MASLD cell model, and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of the AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway.

Cite this article

Weiqiang TAN , Li LIU , Xudong LIU , Yehuang WEI , Xiaoqian GONG , Rongrong WANG . The effect of the Qushi Huoxue decoction on the AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway in free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cells[J]. The Journal of Practical Medicine, 2026 , 42(3) : 406 -415 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.03.007

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