Insight gained via ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics: Protective effect of Artemisia argyi H.Lv. & Vaniot essential oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury mice

Artemisia argyi H.Lev. & Vaniot essential oil (AAEO) has shown pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. However, the protective effect of AAEO on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury and its potential protective mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics techniques to investigate the changes in liver tissue metabolites in mice exposed to LPS with or without AAEO treatment for 14 days. The biochemical results showed that compared with the control group, AAEO significantly reduced the levels of liver functional enzymes, suggesting a significant improvement in liver injury. In addition, the 18 differential metabolites identified by metabolomics were mainly involved in the reprogramming of arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and purine metabolism. AAEO could significantly inhibit the expression of COX-2, IDO1, and NF-kappa B; enhance the body's anti-inflammatory ability; and alleviate liver injury. In summary, our study identified the protective mechanism of AAEO on LPS-induced liver injury at the level of small molecular metabolites, providing a potential liver protective agent for the treatment of LPS-induced liver injury.