Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, and Protective Effect Against LPS-Induced Liver Injury in Mice of Gerbera delavayi Franch

The main objective of this study was to preliminarily analyze the major flavonoid and phenolic acid components of the ethanolic extract of <i>Gerbera delavayi</i> Franch (E-GDF), and to evaluate its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and systemic inflammation mouse models. Results indicated that E-GDF was rich in flavonoids (16.35 ± 0.19 mg RT/g d.w. Plant Material) and polyphenolic compounds (36.15 ± 0.20 mg GAE/g d.w. Plant Material). LC-MS analysis of E-GDF revealed that its major flavonoid components included kaempferol glycosides, luteolin, and their glycosylated derivatives, while its phenolic acids were predominantly chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and their corresponding glycosides. E-GDF exhibited good antioxidant activities, including the scavenging of DPPH, ABTS, ^•OH, and O₂^•- radicals. E-GDF treatment significantly inhibited the production of ROS and inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6, TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated macrophages (RAW 264.7), while concurrently down-regulating the mRNA expression of COX-2, IL-1β, Casp1, and GSDMD-1. In addition, in vivo experiments revealed that E-GDF treatment effectively reduced the serum LPS, AST levels, as well as hepatic TNF-α, IL-6 levels in mice with LPS-induced acute liver injury. Furthermore, E-GDF significantly ameliorated LPS-induced liver pathological damage. These results provide a basis for <i>G. delavayi</i> as a potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective herbal medicine.