Qushi Huoxue ointment ameliorates metabolic associated steatotic liver disease through autophagy activation and ferroptosis inhibition

Figure 8 Qushi Huoxue ointment ameliorates hepatic ultrastructural damage in metabolic associated steatotic liver disease mice. Representative transmission electron microscopy micrographs of hepatocytes. Compared to the control group, the metabolic associated steatotic liver disease group exhibited mitochondrial shrinkage with disrupted cristae, substantial lipid accumulation, and scarce autolysosome. In contrast, both the Qushi Huoxue ointment-high-dose and oltipraz groups showed preserved mitochondrial architecture, reduced lipid droplets, and increased autophagic vesicles, indicating restored autophagic flux. Scale bars: 2 μm (overview), 500 nm (detail). MASLD: Metabolic associated steatotic liver disease; QSHXO: Qushi Huoxue ointment; M: Mitochondria; LDs: Lipid droplets; ER: Endoplasmic reticulum; AS: Autophagosome; ASS: Autolysosome.