Hepatoprotective Effect of Jianpi Huoxue Formula on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by Methionine-Choline-Deficient Diet in Rat.

Yu Feng,Tao Wang,Qingping Lan,Guozhen Cui,Simon Ming Yuen Lee,Fenggen Yan,Binrui Yang,I Cheong Choi,Yan Chen,George Pak-Heng Leung,Zhitao Ren,Dacan Chen,Hon Ho Yu

doi:10.1155/2019/7465272

Abstract

In parallel with the prevalence metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in most countries. It features a constellation of simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. There are no approved drugs for effective management of NAFLD and NASH. Jianpi Huoxue formula (JPHX) mainly consists of Atractylodes macrocephal (Baizhu), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Rasux Paeonia Alba (Baishao), Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie), and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis (Wuweizi), which may have beneficial effects on NAFLD. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of JPHX on NAFLD. A NAFLD model was induced by methionine-choline-deficient food (MCD) in Wistar rats and orally administered with simultaneous JPHX, once a day for 8 weeks. Hepatocellular injury, lipid profile, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis were evaluated. The results showed that JPHX significantly decreased the abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels compared with the MCD model (P<0.05). Furthermore, JPHX protected MCD diet-fed rats from accumulation of hepatic triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Histological examination demonstrated that JPHX noticeably normalized the NAFLD activity score (NAS). Moreover, JPHX ameliorated liver inflammation by decreasing TNF-α levels and reduced collagen and matrix metalloproteinases in MCD diet-fed rats. In addition, JPHX prevented rats from MCD-induced cellular apoptosis, as suggested by TUNEL staining, and suppressed the activation of caspase 3 and 7 proteins. JPHX also inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK. In conclusion, JPHX exhibited a hepatoprotective effect against NAFLD in an MCD experimental model.

Highlights

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in most countries and regions including the United States, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe [1]
Most patients do not progress to cirrhosis, which is mainly characterized by steatosis especially macrovascular steatosis, while almost 20% patients will have a progressive liver disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [5]
Jianpi Huoxue formula (JPHX) was performed on rats using an methionine-cholinedeficient food (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD model

Summary

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in most countries and regions including the United States, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe [1]. Patients with NASH usually develop liver steatosis, more severe lobular and portal inflammation, and ballooning and have a higher. There are no approved drugs for effective management of NAFLD and NASH, which have become a major global public health problem and place an enormous burden on health-care systems and societies. Some preventive strategies, such as lifestyle modification and an energy-restricted diet, have achieved limited success including improved steatosis and decreased aberrant aminotransferases [7].

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