Hot Water Extract of Mulberry Leaf Ameliorates Hepatic Fat Accumulation and Inflammation in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf extract on hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation in rats fed a high-fat diet. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Each group fed normal diet (NOR), high-fat diet (HF), or HF supplemented with 0.8% (w/w) hot water extract of mulberry leaf (HF + ME) for 14 weeks. Results The mulberry extract (ME) supplementation reduced body weight and white adipose tissues (epididymal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric) weights. Serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acids (FFAs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were lower, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was higher in the HF + ME group compared to the HF group. The ME reduced the hepatic total lipid, TG, and TC levels compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of genes related to fatty acid synthesis, such as CD36, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were down-regulated by the ME supplementation. In addition, the ME lowered the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), compared to the HF group. The serum TNF-α level of the HF + ME group was significantly lower than that of the HF group. Conclusions These results suggested that the ME attenuated high-fat diet-induced hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation via regulating gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism and pro-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, it is postulated that the ME might be useful as a functional food ingredient to prevent obesity-induced hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation. Funding Sources None.