Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Additional therapies using functional foods and dietary supplements have been investigated and used in clinical practice, showing them to be beneficial. Honeybee pollen from Chile has shown a large concentration of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity. In this work, we characterized twenty-eight bee pollen extracts from the central zone of Chile according to botanical origin, phenolic profile, quercetin concentration, and antioxidant activity (FRAP and ORAC-FL). Our results show a statistically significant positive correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Selected samples were evaluated on the ability to reverse the steatosis in an in vitro cell model using Hepa1-6 cells. The pollen extracts protected Hepa1-6 cells against oxidative damage triggered by 2,2′-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)derived free radicals. This effect can be credited to the ability of the phenolic compounds present in the extract to protect the liver cells from chemical-induced injury, which might be correlated to their free radical scavenging potential. Additionally, bee pollen extracts reduce lipid accumulation in a cellular model of steatosis. In summary, our results support the antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-steatosis effect of bee pollen in an in vitro model.
Highlights
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease, related to a complex living environment, heredity, and dietary habits
High-calorie diets and continued inactivity contribute to weight gain and promote the development of NAFLD [2]
The early stages of NAFLD may be reversible, studies have shown that 15% to 20% of patients with NAFLD can develop cirrhosis, and 30% to 40% of patients can suffer liver disease-related morbidity and mortality [3]
Summary
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease, related to a complex living environment, heredity, and dietary habits. High-calorie diets and continued inactivity contribute to weight gain and promote the development of NAFLD [2]. The early stages of NAFLD may be reversible, studies have shown that 15% to 20% of patients with NAFLD can develop cirrhosis, and 30% to 40% of patients can suffer liver disease-related morbidity and mortality [3]. Weight loss through improved diet and increased physical activity has been the cornerstone therapy of NAFLD. Recent therapies using functional foods and dietary supplements have been shown to be beneficial [2,3]. There is evidence of a link between oxidative stress and the presence of NAFLD and its progression, related to mechanisms such as mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, iron metabolism derangements, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction [4,5,6]
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