The therapeutic effect of alcoholic extract of Fumaria parviflora on high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats: an animal experiment.

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing problem with a significant burden. Lifestyle modification is the recommended treatment, but researchers are exploring other options. This study focused on the effects of Fumaria parviflora (FP) extracts on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats. Thirty-five 10-week-old male Wister-Albino rats were divided into seven groups: normal diet control, high fat diet control, high fat diet with oral normal saline gavage, high fat diet with oral Atorvastatin gavage, and three groups receiving high fat diet with FP extract in 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, and 700mg/kg.Blood samples of rats were used for the measurement of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).1×1cm Liver biopsies were taken, stained with Trichrome Stain (Masson) and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain for evaluation by a pathologist. Lab results showed that FP extract inhibits weight gain, has positive effects on triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase levels, and reduces hepatocyte ballooning and inflammation in rats. FP extract may lower liver enzymes and have a positive impact on triglyceride, LDL, and HDL levels in rats with NAFLD.