Galangin Alleviates Alcohol-Provoked Liver Injury Associated with Gut Microbiota Disorder and Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Mice

Abstract

Prolonged and excessive intake of alcohol results in the onset of alcoholic liver disease, which is marked by oxidative stress, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and disturbance in the intestinal microbiome. Galangin, a potent flavonoid from Alpinia officinarum Hance, has been recognized for its diverse biological properties; however, its ability for protecting against alcoholstimulated hepatotoxicity remains unexplored in prior research. In the current study, a Gao-Binge mouse model was established to assess the positive role and mechanisms of galangin upon alcohol-induced liver injury. The administration of galangin relieved liver pathological damage, oxidative stress, and NLRP3-mediated inflammation induced by alcohol. In addition, galangin significantly reversed abnormal intestinal histopathological manifestations and damaged the intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, microbiota composition revealed that galangin improved intestinal imbalance by improving the gut microbiota dysbiosis and short-chain fatty acid level. Collectively, this study explored the interactions between phytochemical factors and virulence factors and discovered that galangin powerfully improved alcohol-induced liver disease by repressing the inflammatory cascade via the gut microbiota-mediated gut−liver axis. These results suggested that alcohol-targeted natural products could have potential applications in promoting food safety and human health and offer valuable insights into the possible use of these substances in these important areas.