Unveiling the anticancer potential of flavonoids in hepatocellular carcinoma through microbiome and spatially resolved metabolomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes a large worldwide health burden, needing novel ways to prevention and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine, which is rich in bioactive substances, has emerged as a viable approach to tackling HCC difficulties. Artemisia rupestris L. (AR), a perennial plant, has received interest for its immunoregulatory qualities and potential protection against viral influenza and hepatocellular cancer. METHODS: In this work, we looked at the pharmacological effects of Artemisia rupestris L. extract (ARE) on HCC mice. We used 16 S rRNA sequencing and computational biology approaches to investigate ARE-induced changes in bacterial composition inside HCC mouse tissues. Furthermore, we used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to identify metabolic changes caused by ARE. RESULTS: Our data indicate that ARE affects hepatocellular cancer via several pathways. AR offers a multi-faceted strategy to combating HCC by influencing critical metabolic pathways such α-linolenic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: This research sheds new light on Artemisia rupestris L.'s anticancer potential, setting the platform for a more in-depth knowledge of its influence on hepatocellular carcinoma using a multi-omics approach.