The Improvement Effect of Magnolia officinalis Oil Extract on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Its Mechanism of Regulating Inflammatory Pathways and Oxidative Stress in HepG2 cells

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by lipid accumulation and hepatic inflammation. Magnolia officinalis, a traditional herbal medicine, has shown potential therapeutic effects in various metabolic conditions. However, its mechanisms of action in NAFLD remain unclear. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with oleic and palmitic acid to establish an NAFLD model and then exposed to water, ethanol, or ethyl acetate extracts of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis at varying concentrations for 6 or 24 hours. The SIRT1/AMPK pathway was investigated using shRNA knockdown and plasmid overexpression, with transfection efficiency confirmed via RT-qPCR and fluorescence microscopy. Gene expression, cell viability, and cytokine levels were analyzed using RT-qPCR, CCK-8 assay, and ELISA, respectively, with statistical analyses to evaluate significance. Results: Our findings suggest that Magnolia officinalis ethanol extracts activate the SIRT1/AMPK pathway, leading to improved lipid metabolism and reduced oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation. These effects appear to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and alleviate metabolic dysregulation associated with NAFLD. Conclusions: Magnolia officinalis extracts exhibit promising therapeutic potential in NAFLD management by targeting the SIRT1/AMPK pathway and reducing inflammation. Further in vivo studies are required to confirm these findings, investigate long-term safety and bioavailability, and explore synergistic effects with other therapeutic compounds. This research bridges traditional natural medicine with advanced scientific methods, providing novel insights into NAFLD treatment.