Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, characterized by excess lipid deposition. Insulin resistance (IR) serves as a fundamental pathogenic factor in MAFLD. However, currently, there are no approved specific agents for its treatment. Farrerol, a novel compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its hepatoprotective properties. Despite this, the precise underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. In this study, a network pharmacology approach predicted protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) as a potential target for farrerol's action in the liver. Subsequently, the administration of farrerol improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in MAFLD mice. Furthermore, farrerol alleviated lipid accumulation by binding to PTPN1 and reducing the dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor (INSR) in HepG2 cells and MAFLD mice. Thus, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/serine/threonine-protein kinases (PI3K/AKT) signalling pathway was active, leading to downstream protein reduction. Overall, the study demonstrates that farrerol alleviates insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis of MAFLD by targeting PTPN1.