Multimodal Assessment of Gentiopicroside's Protective Effect in CDCA-induced HepG2 Cell Injury

The primary active component of Swertia chirayita, gentiopicroside (GPS), has been shown to shield the liver in cholestasis instances. In order to elucidate the protective mechanism of GPS on cholestatic liver injury, HepG2 cells were treated with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to simulate the cholestasis environment in vitro, and the CCK-8 method was used to determine the protective effect of GPS on HepG2 cells. Using a biological kit, the contents of intracellular TBA, T-CHO, TG, ALP, ALT, AST, GSH, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, SOD, and MDA were detected. Confocal laser microscopy was used to confirm the level of ROS. HepG2 cells' expressions of SHP-2, Tgr5, CYP7A1, and NTCP were assessed using immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Autodock software was then used to verify the molecular docking of its main active ingredients. The findings demonstrated that GPS significantly prevented the damage that CDCA caused to HepG2 cells. This protective effect may have been achieved by controlling the production and metabolism of bile acids and lipids within the cell and preventing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.