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Peer-reviewedCC BYFrontiers in pharmacology

Shenze shugan capsules alleviate alcoholic liver injury in association with modulation of the TGF-β/smad4 signaling pathway

  • Lu Wang1
  • Qianyu Gu1
  • Jia Tinghe1
  • Zhen Sun1
  • Di Wang1
  • Lanzhou Li1
  • Huiyun Zang2
  • Lijun Lin3
  • Junliang Chen1
  • Chunyue Wang1
  1. 1Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University , ,
  2. 2Jilin Aodong Shihang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , ,
  3. 3Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group Yanji Co., Ltd. , ,
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Abstract

Background: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) represents a major contributor to liver fibrosis globally, and current therapeutic options remain inadequate. The TGF-β/Smad4 cascade is critically involved in alcohol-evoked activation of hepatic stellate cells and subsequent extracellular matrix accumulation. Although Shenze Shugan capsule (SZSG) has been clinically used for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, its efficacy and mechanisms in ALD are unclear. This study aimed to explore how SZSG exerts protective effects against alcohol-triggered liver injury and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Both acute and chronic ALD mouse models were established to assess liver injury, fibrosis, inflammation, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolomic profiles.

Results: SZSG treatment markedly attenuated hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation, as evidenced by reductions in lipid accumulation, collagen deposition, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Concurrently, it reshaped the gut microbiota and restored metabolites dysregulated by alcohol exposure. These beneficial effects appear to involve modulation of the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling pathway and its downstream effectors, α-SMA and Collagen I.

Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that SZSG combats ALD by simultaneously modulating the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling axis and preserving gut-liver homeostasis, thereby representing a promising multi-target therapeutic candidate.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wang2026shenze,
  title = {{Shenze shugan capsules alleviate alcoholic liver injury in association with modulation of the TGF-β/smad4 signaling pathway}},
  author = {Lu Wang and Qianyu Gu and Jia Tinghe and Zhen Sun and Di Wang and Lanzhou Li and Huiyun Zang and Lijun Lin and Junliang Chen and Chunyue Wang},
  journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1942947},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13671995},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Shenze shugan capsules alleviate alcoholic liver injury in association with modulation of the TGF-β/smad4 signaling pathway
AU  - Lu Wang
AU  - Qianyu Gu
AU  - Jia Tinghe
AU  - Zhen Sun
AU  - Di Wang
AU  - Lanzhou Li
AU  - Huiyun Zang
AU  - Lijun Lin
AU  - Junliang Chen
AU  - Chunyue Wang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/02
JO  - Frontiers in pharmacology
DO  - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1942947
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13671995
AB  - Background: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) represents a major contributor to liver fibrosis globally, and current therapeutic options remain inadequate. The TGF-β/Smad4 cascade is critically involved in alcohol-evoked activation of hepatic stellate cells and subsequent extracellular matrix accumulation. Although Shenze Shugan capsule (SZSG) has been clinically used for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, its efficacy and mechanisms in ALD are unclear. This study aimed to explore how SZSG exerts protective effects against alcohol-triggered liver injury and the underlying mechanisms.  Methods: Both acute and chronic ALD mouse models were established to assess liver injury, fibrosis, inflammation, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolomic profiles.  Results: SZSG treatment markedly attenuated hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation, as evidenced by reductions in lipid accumulation, collagen deposition, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Concurrently, it reshaped the gut microbiota and restored metabolites dysregulated by alcohol exposure. These beneficial effects appear to involve modulation of the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling pathway and its downstream effectors, α-SMA and Collagen I.  Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that SZSG combats ALD by simultaneously modulating the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling axis and preserving gut-liver homeostasis, thereby representing a promising multi-target therapeutic candidate.
SN  - 1663-9812
ER  -