Paeoniflorin Protects against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by a High-Fat Diet in Mice

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Paeoniflorin, a natural product and active ingredient of Paeonia lactiflora, has been demonstrated to have many pharmacological effects including antiinflammatory and antihyperglycemic activity. We investigated the effects of paeoniflorin on NAFLD in mice and its underlying mechanisms. We examined this hypothesis using a well-established animal model of NAFLD. The effects of paeoniflorin on inflammation and glucolipid metabolism disorder were evaluated. The corresponding signaling pathways were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We demonstrated that the mice developed obesity, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver, which formed the NAFLD model. Paeoniflorin attenuated NAFLD and exhibited potential cardiovascular protective effects in vivo by lowering body weight, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance; blocking inflammation; and inhibiting lipid ectopic deposition. Further investigation revealed that the antagonistic effect on hyperlipidemia and lipid ectopic deposition was related to lowering the lipid synthesis pathway (de novo pathway, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR)), promoting fatty acid oxidation [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, etc.] and increasing cholesterol output (PPARγ-liver X receptor-α-ATP-binding cassette transporter-1); the inhibitory effects on inflammation and hyperglycemia were mediated by blocking inflammatory genes activation and reducing gluconeogenic genes expression (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and G6Pase). These results suggest that paeoniflorin prevents the development of NAFLD and reduces the risks of atherosclerosis through multiple intracellular signaling pathways. It may therefore be a potential therapeutic compound for NAFLD.

Lipid Regulation Effects of Raw and Processed Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizome on Steatotic Hepatocyte L02 Cell

“…CYP7 α is the key rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol transformation into bile acid in the liver, therefore promoting the excretion of cholesterol [19]. SREBP-2 is an important transcription factor, which could regulate fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and impact the transcription of several genes involved in fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism [20]. …”

Beneficial effects of paeoniflorin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet in rats

“…1), a major pharmacologically active component from roots of peonies, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory7, antioxidant8, antihyperlipidemic activities9 and hepatoprotection10, with low toxicity and few side effects1112. Recent studies indicated that PF improved insulin resistance (IR) in NAFLD animal models by promoting fatty acid oxidation through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα)13 and by increasing the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)14. Our previous research demonstrated that PF had anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in NASH rats and that these effects due to inhibition of the Rho kinase/NF-κB signaling pathway in liver with NASH11.…”

Bo-Gan-Whan regulates proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

“…In present study, we identified paeoniflorin as the major component of BGH as revealed by the data using the UPLC. Some studies reported the paeoniflorin have hepato-protective and anti-atherosclerosis effect [35, 36]. Therefore, we suggest that BGH may be used as a functional food for prevention atherosclerosis and restenosis.…”