Hawthorn fruit extracts alleviate high-fat diet-induced NAFLD by inhibiting ERK and regulating hepatic purine metabolism

Food & Function 2026

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Authors: Yuan Zhou, Junjie Qiu, Shanshan Pan, Mengyao Wang, Yichen Wang, Rui Xu, Yong Chen, Xuesong Liu, Jiahui Zhao, Tengfei Xu
DOI: 10.1039/d5fo03640b
Cited by: 1
References: 42

Abstract

, and mitigated liver damage. Hepatic metabolomics indicated that HFE notably improved metabolic disorders in NAFLD mice, particularly in the purine metabolism pathway. Integrative analysis combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and western blotting demonstrated that HFE primarily targets ERK and effectively suppresses its hyperactivation. Quercetin and rutin, present in HFE, emerged as potential key components, exerting effects through direct binding with ERK1/2. In conclusion, this study found that HFE alleviated NAFLD by inhibiting ERK and regulating hepatic purine metabolism.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Botanical Studies and Applications Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies Nutrition Genetics and Disease

Publication details

Journal / source
Food & Function
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
5
Pages
2610–2625
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN