Untargeted Metabolomic Study of the Anti-HBV Effects of Erythrocentaurin In Vitro and In Vivo Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

Erythrocentaurin is a key bioactive metabolite derived from the intestinal biotransformation of swertiamarin and gentiopicroside, two predominant iridoid glycosides in Swertia herbs that have antihepatitis B virus activity. HBV-Tg mice and HepG2.2.15 cells were used as in vivo and in vitro models to detect HBsAg and HBeAg, and also determine HBV DNA levels, by conducting ELISA and qPCR. We also performed untargeted metabolomics via UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Moreover, the contents of NF-κB pathway-related genes and proteins were measured through conducting qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays, and P65 nuclear translocation was examined via immunofluorescence assays. The results revealed that erythrocentaurin significantly inhibited the replication of HBV, reversed 55 differentially abundant metabolites, core-regulated glutathione and arachidonic acid metabolism, and suppressed the NF-κB pathway by downregulating p-IκK/p-P65, upregulating IκB, and inhibiting the nuclear translocation of P65. This study provided theoretical support and broad prospects for developing new anti-HBV monomer drugs and offered a novel model that can be used for identifying pharmacodynamic substances and the secondary development of traditional Chinese medicine formulae and single herbs.