Naringenin modulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα (PPARα) to ameliorate hepatic ferroptosis by restoring GPX4 during liver regeneration

Liver regeneration is essential for recovery after major resection or acute injury, yet early regenerative failure remains common. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of lipid peroxidation-driven cell death, impairs hepatocyte survival and may constrain regeneration. Naringenin (NAR), a citrus flavonoid with hepatoprotective activity, has been reported to modulate oxidative stress; however, whether it supports liver regeneration through ferroptosis modulation and which upstream targets are involved remains unclear. Here, hepatocyte models (AML12, Huh7, HepG2) and a murine 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) model were used to investigate the involvement of PPARα signaling. Proliferation was assessed by CCK-8, EdU, and cell-cycle proteins. Ferroptosis-associated readouts (Fe 2+ , MDA, ROS, GSH) were measured following RSL3 exposure with or without NAR, ferrostatin-1, fenofibrate, or GW6471. Target identification involved network pharmacology, molecular docking, protease protection assay, and CETSA. In PHx mice, NAR was associated with improved liver regrowth (LW/BW ↑25% at 48 h), reduced ALT/AST (∼30–40%), increased proliferation markers, elevated GSH/CAT, and decreased Fe 2+ /MDA. In vitro, NAR increased GPX4/SLC7A11 expression and attenuated RSL3-induced ferroptosis-associated changes. These effects were mimicked by fenofibrate and attenuated by GW6471. NAR was associated with increased PPARα stability and expression. These findings suggest that NAR is associated with reduced ferroptosis and improved liver regeneration, potentially through modulation of PPARα-related signaling, warranting further validation.