Maslinic acid alleviates alcoholic liver injury in mice and regulates intestinal microbiota via the gut–liver axis

Abstract BACKGROUND Maslinic acid (MA), a pentacyclic triterpene acid, is widely distributed in natural plants and mainly found in the fruit and leaves of olives and hawthorn. MA has been reported as having many health‐promoting functions, such as anticancer, anti‐inflammation and neuroprotective activities. According to previous study, hawthorn extract has certain hepatoprotective effects. However, the detailed mechanism is still unclear, especially the effect of MA on gut microbiota. RESULTS Our study reveals that MA effectively counteracts alcohol‐induced liver injury and oxidative stress. It mitigates alcohol‐induced intestinal barrier damage, reverses increased permeability and reduces translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This prevents LPS/Toll‐like receptor 4 activation, leading to decreased TNF‐ α and IL‐1 β production. Furthermore, MA rebalances gut microbiota by reversing harmful bacterial abundance and enhancing beneficial bacteria post‐alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION MA, through modulation of gut microbiota, alleviates alcohol‐induced liver injury via the gut–liver axis. These findings support the potential use of MA as a functional food ingredient for preventing or treating alcoholic liver disease. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.