Red yeast rice extract’s impact on liver health: a pharmacological and metabolomic exploration

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of red yeast rice extract (RYRE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through untargeted metabolomics analysis and experimental validation. Methods: , TGF-β) were measured by biochemical assays and ELISA. Liver tissues were subjected to Oil Red O, hematoxylin-eosin (HE), and Masson staining for histopathological evaluation. Additionally, qPCR and immunohistochemistry were employed to investigate the underlying signaling pathways. Results: signaling pathway, as evidenced by reduced mRNA expression of cFos, cJUN, JAK1/2/3, and TNF-α, along with decreased protein levels of p-JNK, cFos, cJUN, and TNF-α. Notably, the p-cJun/total cJun ratio showed a distinct regulatory pattern, suggesting complex modulation of AP-1 subunit phosphorylation. Conclusion: signaling pathway.