A UPLC-QTOF/MS-based hepatic tissue metabolomics approach deciphers the mechanism of Huachansu tablets-based intervention against hepatocellular carcinoma

Huachansu (HCS) tablets, classified as well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation, have been proved to be effective in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in clinical studies. However, the underlying mechanism of HCS tablets against HCC has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this study, a rat model of HCC was established with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) inducer. The efficacy of HCS tablets against HCC was assessed through liver histopathological examination and evaluation of biochemical indicators. A metabolomics method based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS combined with multivariate data analysis was established to identify differential metabolites related to the inhibition effect of HCS tablets on HCC, and then the relevant metabolic pathway analysis was performed to investigate the anti-HCC mechanisms of HCS tablets. The results showed that compared to the control group, the HCC model group showed a significant increase in the values of HCC-related biochemical indicators and the number of tumor nodules, indicating the successful establishment of the HCC rat model. Upon treatment with HCS tablets, the values of HCC-related biochemical indicators decreased, liver fibrosis and nuclear deformation were also significantly alleviated. A total of 15 differential metabolites associated with the anti-tumor effect of HCS tablets on HCC were screened and annotated through hepatic tissue metabolomics studies. Analysis of metabolic pathways revealed that the therapeutic effects of HCS tablets on HCC mainly involved the pentose and glucuronate interconversions and arachidonic acid metabolism. Further western blotting corroborated that the alteration in arachidonic acid (AA) level after the intervention of HCS tablets was related to the inhibition of cPLA2 alpha expression in rat liver tissues. In conclusion, HCS tablets exhibit a certain anti-tumor effect on HCC, and the metabolomics method based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS combined with further verification at the biochemical level is a promising way to reveal its underlying mechanism.