Phyllanthus Niruri Standardized Extract Alleviates the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Decreases Atherosclerotic Risk in Sprague–Dawley Rats

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major global health issues, strongly correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and oxidative stress. The current study aimed to evaluate anti-NAFLD effects of three different extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri). NAFLD was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats using a special high-fat diet (HFD). A 50% methanolic extract (50% ME) exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against NAFLD progression. It significantly reduced hepatomegaly (16%) and visceral fat weight (22%), decreased NAFLD score, prevented fibrosis, and reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) (48%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (65%), free fatty acids (FFAs) (25%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (45%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (38%), insulin concentration (67%), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (73%), serum atherogenic ratios TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (29%), LDL/HDL (66%) and (TC–HDL)/HDL (64%), hepatic content of cholesterol (43%), triglyceride (29%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (40%) compared to a non-treated HFD group. In vitro, 50% ME of P. niruri inhibited α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase enzymes and cholesterol micellization. It also had higher total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other extracts. Ellagic acid and phyllanthin were identified as major compounds. These results suggest that P. niruri could be further developed as a novel natural hepatoprotective agent against NAFLD and atherosclerosis.

Preparation of Lignan-Rich Extract from the Aerial Parts of Phyllanthus niruri Using Nonconventional Methods

“…The 50% methanolic extract demonstrated hepatoprotective effect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression in rats, as well as reduced visceral adiposity, improved liver enzymes abnormalities, and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation and fat accumulation. Both phyllanthin and gallic acid were found to be the main constituents in the extract [5]. Both the methanolic extract and hexane extract (and hexane soluble fraction of the alcoholic extract) of the aerial parts of the plant were found to demonstrate a hepatoprotective effect against liver damage in rats [1,6].…”

Scutellarin Prevents Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Hyperlipidemia via PI3K/AKT-Dependent Activation of Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Like 2 (Nrf2) in Rats

“…It causes various types of liver injuries, including simple hepatic liquid accumulation, which may appear alone or associated with inflammation, with or without fibrosis [ 6 , 7 ]. The incidence of NAFLD and hyperlipidemia, with their associated risks of end-stage liver and cardiovascular diseases, is increasing rapidly [ 8 ]. Statins inhibit the synthesis and increase of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in the liver, thus reducing blood cholesterol levels in hyperlipemia patients [ 3 ].…”

The diets of sows with fish oil might decrease the oxidative stress and inflammatory response in sows, but increase the susceptibility to inflammatory response in their offspring

“…In our study, at the age of 14 days, the TG level in the plasma of sucking piglets was reduced, but the levels of ALT,AKP,IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-10 in the plasma of sucking piglets were increased in the FD group. ALT and AKP is positively correlated with the degree of abnormal liver tissue [20][21][22]. IL-10 is an anti-in ammatory regulatory cytokine, which could induce antibody production and improve anti-in ammatory ability [23].…”