Buddleoside alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by targeting the AMPK-TFEB signaling pathway

Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of buddleoside, a naturally occurring flavonoid compound, in the context of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), for which no approved pharmacological treatment currently exists. Using preclinical models, the authors demonstrate that buddleoside activates AMPK and promotes TFEB-mediated autophagy-lysosomal function, thereby reducing hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The findings suggest that the AMPK-TFEB signalling pathway represents a viable therapeutic target for NASH and that buddleoside warrants further investigation as a candidate drug.

UK applicability

This preclinical study was conducted in China and does not directly address UK clinical or agricultural practice; however, the findings are relevant to UK public health in the context of rising NAFLD and NASH prevalence, and may inform future pharmaceutical or nutraceutical research in the UK.

Key measures

Hepatic steatosis markers; insulin resistance indices; inflammatory cytokine levels; fibrosis markers; AMPK phosphorylation status; TFEB nuclear translocation; autophagy-lysosomal pathway activity; liver histopathology

Outcomes reported

The study examined whether buddleoside, a natural flavonoid, could alleviate hepatic steatosis, inflammation, insulin resistance, and fibrosis in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model by modulating the AMPK-TFEB signalling axis and autophagy-lysosomal pathway.

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