Mechanistic insights into Shanzha Heye Jueming Yin (SZHYJMY) for MASLD: A network pharmacology and experimental study

Shanzha Heye Jueming Yin (SZHYJMY), a classical herbal formula composed of Crataegi Fructus, Nelumbinis Folium, and Cassiae Semen, has been used for centuries to treat lipid metabolism disorders. Despite its historical efficacy, the molecular basis of its action on metabolic liver diseases remain poorly characterized.

This study systematically deciphered the multi-target mechanisms of SZHYJMY against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a global health challenge linked to dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Transcriptomic data (GSE247407) and network pharmacology identified MASLD-related targets. Core targets were validated via protein interaction network analysis, molecular docking, and clinical datasets (GSE246221). A palmitic acid-induced HepG2 model assessed SZHYJMY's effects on glycolipid metabolism.

We identified 1791 MASLD-related genes and 152 overlapping targets with SZHYJMY. Quercetin and kaempferol exhibited strong binding (-9.5 to -5.8 kcal/mol) to ESR1, NFKB1, and PPARG. Pathway analysis revealed hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway and lipid synthesis modulation. Clinical data demonstrated stage-specific dysregulation of ESR1/NFKB1/PPARG in MASLD progression. Cellular experiments confirmed SZHYJMY's ability to reduce lipid accumulation and enhance glucose uptake, with target protein expression levels quantified using commercial ELISA kits.

SZHYJMY alleviates MASLD through synergistic regulation of ESR1/NFKB1/PPARG networks, validating the "multi-compound, multi-target" action of herbal medicine. This work bridges traditional knowledge with mechanistic evidence, offering novel strategies for MASLD management.