Metabolomic analysis identifies the regulation of lipid metabolism pathway as potential mechanisms of Jiangzhi decoction against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The article focuses on elucidating the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of Jiangzhi decoction (JZD), a traditional Chinese medicine herbal formula, in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD rat model, the study demonstrated that JZD significantly alleviated liver pathological changes and improved lipid profiles. Metabolomic analysis via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry identified 301 differential metabolites affected by JZD, with pathway enrichment highlighting five key lipid metabolism pathways—arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism—as central to JZD's therapeutic effects. The findings suggest that JZD ameliorates NAFLD by restoring disturbed lipid metabolic profiles, although further research is needed to assess its impact on insulin resistance.