N-phenethylhexadecanamide, palmitic acid, and isoxanthohumol likely mediate these effects.<h4>Discussion</h4>Overall, ZQC improves glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM with MASLD by modulating gut microbiota, influencing hepatic PPARγ-related pathways, and enhancing hepatocyte metabolic function. The gene discussed is PPARG; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.