Sarcopoterium spinosum Inhibited the Development of Non-Alcoholic Steatosis and Steatohepatitis in Mice

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a comorbidity of obesity, which gradually develops from hepatic steatosis into steatohepatitis (NASH) and eventually even into fibrosis or hepatic carcinoma. To date, there has been no specific and effective treatment for NAFLD. Sarcopoterium spinosum extract (SSE) was found to improve insulin sensitivity. Recognizing the intimate link between insulin resistance and NAFLD, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectivity of SSE in the prevention and management of NAFLD at various severities. SSE was given to high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice (steatosis model) or to mice given a Western diet (WD) in the short or long term (NASH prevention or treatment, respectively). SSE reduced body weight accumulation, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and prevented the development of hepatic steatosis. SSE also blocked the progression of liver disease toward NASH in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and antioxidant machinery was regulated by SSE in both models of steatosis and NASH development. However, SSE failed to reverse the hepatic damage in the advanced model of NASH. In summary, SSE might be considered as a botanical supplement for the prevention and treatment of hepatic steatosis, and for slowing the deterioration toward NASH.

Single probe diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to assess the effect of sarcopoterium spinosum treatment on the cerebral tissue properties of ApoE knockout mouse

“…It improves vascular health by reducing blood lipid levels and enables the transport of lipids from the circulation to target tissues enabling improved lipid profile and metabolic health 55 . We suggest, that in a similar manner to insulin, SSE inhibits lipolysis, as was reported before, and improves lipid uptake from the blood to the tissues 14–19 . The lower blood lipids and the improvement in oxygen delivery observed in SSE‐treated mice might reflect the insulin‐like properties of SSE and the resulting better microvascular function in SSE‐treated mice.…”

“…Most surveys indicated the use of Sarcopoterium spinosum for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, however, other medicinal indications have been mentioned as well. In our previous studies, we were able to confirm that Sarcopoterium spinosum extract (SSE) reduced the severity of some of the pathologies composing the MetS 16–19 . SSE consumption lowered body weight accumulation, improved insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance in diet‐induced obese, prediabetic mice.…”

Fumigaclavine C ameliorates liver steatosis by attenuating hepatic de novo lipogenesis via modulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway

“…Currently, various alternative NAFLD therapeutic strategies including lifestyle intervention and pharmaceutical treatment are either insufficient or have side effects [ 5 , 6 ]. Emerging researches have focused on natural products as a selectable effective therapeutic strategy without significant adverse side effects [ 18 , 19 ]. In the present study, we investigated the potential NAFLD therapeutic effect of FC.…”

“…But, various issues remain unresolved elucidating the precise mechanisms of treatment chemical drugs for NAFLD [ 16 , 17 ]. To overcome above issues, emerging researches have focused on natural products as a selectable effective therapeutic strategy without significant adverse side effects [ 18 , 19 ].…”