Maslinic acid alleviates alcoholic liver injury in mice and regulates intestinal microbiota via the gut-liver axis

BACKGROUND: Maslinic acid (MA), a pentacyclic triterpene acid, is widely distributed in natural plants and mainly found in the fruit and leaves of olives and hawthorn. MA has been reported as having many health-promoting functions, such as anticancer, anti-inflammation and neuroprotective activities. According to previous study, hawthorn extract has certain hepatoprotective effects. However, the detailed mechanism is still unclear, especially the effect of MA on gut microbiota. RESULTS: Our study reveals that MA effectively counteracts alcohol-induced liver injury and oxidative stress. It mitigates alcohol-induced intestinal barrier damage, reverses increased permeability and reduces translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This prevents LPS/Toll-like receptor 4 activation, leading to decreased TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production. Furthermore, MA rebalances gut microbiota by reversing harmful bacterial abundance and enhancing beneficial bacteria post-alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: MA, through modulation of gut microbiota, alleviates alcohol-induced liver injury via the gut-liver axis. These findings support the potential use of MA as a functional food ingredient for preventing or treating alcoholic liver disease. (c) 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.