Unveiling the anticancer potential of flavonoids in hepatocellular carcinoma through microbiome and spatially resolved metabolomics analysis.

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes a large worldwide health burden, needing novel ways to prevention and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine, which is rich in bioactive substances, has emerged as a viable approach to tackling HCC difficulties. Artemisia rupestris L. (AR), a perennial plant, has received interest for its immunoregulatory qualities and potential protection against viral influenza and hepatocellular cancer.

METHODS

In this work, we looked at the pharmacological effects of Artemisia rupestris L. extract (ARE) on HCC mice. We used 16 S rRNA sequencing and computational biology approaches to investigate ARE-induced changes in bacterial composition inside HCC mouse tissues. Furthermore, we used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to identify metabolic changes caused by ARE.

RESULTS

Our data indicate that ARE affects hepatocellular cancer via several pathways. AR offers a multi-faceted strategy to combating HCC by influencing critical metabolic pathways such α-linolenic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

This research sheds new light on Artemisia rupestris L.'s anticancer potential, setting the platform for a more in-depth knowledge of its influence on hepatocellular carcinoma using a multi-omics approach.