Cyanidin-3-rutinoside(C3R) Attenuates Free Fatty Acid-Induced Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characteristic by pathological lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. This study investigates how Cyanidin-3-rutinoside(C3R), a natural anthocyanin with antioxidant and metabolic regulatory properties, counteracts this process. In a free fatty acid (FFA)-induced HepG2 steatosis model, C3R significantly reduced intracellular triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels, suppressed lipid droplet formation, and alleviated oxidative stress by enhancing SOD/CAT activities and GSH content while lowering MDA and ROS. RNA-seq analysis revealed that C3R reversed FFA-induced transcriptomic alterations. Mechanistically, C3R inhibited SREBP2-mediated cholesterol synthesis, activated the PCSK9/LDLR pathway to promote cholesterol clearance, and upregulated PPARγ-dependent CYP7A1 expression to stimulate bile acid synthesis from cholesterol. C3R also enhanced autophagic flux, facilitating lipid droplet degradation. Molecular docking confirmed high-affinity binding of C3R to INSIG1, PCSK9, and PPARγ, with hydroxyl groups forming specific hydrogen bonds at active sites, supporting direct target engagement. These findings establish a multi-targeted mechanism for C3R in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and provide a molecular basis for anthocyanin-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism.