Intervention Effect of LuoHanGuo Aqueous Extracts on Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice
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Abstract:
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was induced in a mouse model using a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to investigate the effectiveness of LuoHanGuo aqueous extract. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in mouse serum, and liver triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (CHO) content were analyzed, HE-stained liver tissue was observed, and the expression of fat synthesis genes (ACC and FAS) and inflammatory gene (TNF-α) was monitored. No significant difference was observed in the liver coefficient of the LuoHanGuo aqueous-extract group and the MCD-model group, although less damage to liver tissue was evident. Liver histopathology confirmed that the LuoHanGuo aqueous extract significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory infiltration. After oral administration with medium and high doses of LuoHanGuo aqueous extract, the ALT content in mouse serum decreased to 2.37 and 2.07 U/L, respectively (P<0.01), whereas the AST content decreased to 3.70 and 3.59 U/L, respectively (P<0.05). The low, medium, and high doses of LuoHanGuo aqueous extract all down regulated the TG content of liver tissue to 52.45, 45.94, and 41.14 μg/mg prot, respectively (P<0.01), but had no effect on the CHO content. Furthermore, the expression of ACC, FAS, and TNF-α genes was down regulated after the LuoHanGuo treatment. This study confirmed that LuoHanGuo aqueous extract could inhibit MCD-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory infiltration, and reduce the expression of fatty acid synthesis and inflammation-related genes, thereby providing an experimental basis for the development of products for the prevention and treatment of NASH.
