Water extract from artichoke ameliorates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

Abstract

Background The “multiple-hit” hypothesis is currently the most widely accepted theory for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the water extract of artichoke (WEA) on NAFLD and its underlying mechanism. Methods Rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce NAFLD and then treated with WEA at three doses (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g/kg body weight, BW) for 8 weeks. At the end of the intervention, serum biochemical parameters, hepatic antioxidant capacity, hepatic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, liver histopathology, hepatic inflammatory gene and lipid metabolism gene expression, and Akt and p-Akt (S473) protein levels were determined. Results The body weight, liver weight, liver triglyceride (TG) and serum levels of TG, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, and insulin were all significantly reduced in the WEA-treated groups (0.8 and 1.6 g/kg BW) compared with the HFD group (P < 0.01). A significant decrease in hepatic content of malondialdehyde (P < 0.01) and glutathione (P < 0.01), as well as a significant increase in liver superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.01) were observed in WEA-treated groups (0.8 and 1.6 g/kg BW) compared to the HFD group. In addition, there was a marked decrease in the hepatic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the WEA-treated groups compared to the HFD group (P < 0.01). In line with these findings, the histopathology of the livers of rats treated with WEA (0.8 and 1.6 g/kg BW) showed a decrease in steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation. Mechanistically, the reduced hepatic TG content might be related to the downregulation of lipogenic genes (SREBP1c, FASN, SCD1) and upregulation of lipolytic gene (PPARα), and the improved insulin signaling might be associated with the observed increase in antioxidant activity and reduction in inflammation in the WEA-treated groups. Conclusion The hepatoprotective role of WEA in NAFLD may be attributed to its anti-steatotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-insulin resistance effects.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) water extract alleviates palmitate-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 hepatocytes via the activation of IRS1/PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 and GSK-3β signaling pathway

“…Studies have shown that artichokes contain high levels of chlorogenic acid, cynarin, flavonoids, and other active compounds [26,27].Among these, chlorogenic acid has been reported to improve glucose homeostasis by increasing glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity [28] and improve high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and IR in mice fed a high-fat diet [29], and flavonoid supplements improve IR in overweight and obese participants [30]. Our previous study has consistently demonstrated that artichoke water extract may attenuate IR by activating PI3K/Akt signaling in the liver of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [22]. In this study, our results revealed that AWE has an inhibitory effect on PA-induced IR in HepG2 cells by regulating glucose metabolism involved in IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway by reducing gluconeogenesis and increasing glycogenesis, which may be due to inhibition of PA-induced ER stress.…”

“…The harvested plants were identified in the botany laboratory of hunan college of arts and sciences, changed, by Professor Youlin Peng and a voucher specimen [CXJ24] was deposited at the herbarium of the laboratory of the center for biological and agricultural resources of Hunan College of Arts and Sciences. AWE (containing 1.2% chlorogenic acid, 4.8% cynarin) was supplied by Huimei Agricultural Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (Hunan, China) as described in our previous study [22]. Sterile bovine serum albumin (BSA) coupled sodium salt of PA solution (2.5% BSA) and control solvent (containing 2.5% fatty acid-free BSA) was ordered from Shanghai Siduorui Biotechnology Service Co., Ltd (Shanghai, China).…”

“…The active compounds identified in artichokes, including chlorogenic acid, cynarin, flavonoids and their derivatives, have attracted considerable attention for their multiple pharmacological functions, including antioxidant stress, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects [19][20][21]. Our previous study showed that artichoke water extract (AWE) has an anti-IR effect in high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats [22]. In this study, to further investigate the molecular mechanism of the anti-IR effect of AWE, we used palmitate (PA)-induced IR in human HepG2 hepatocytes to study the anti-IR effect of AWE and the underlying mechanisms.…”

Functional and Therapeutic Potential of Cynara scolymus in Health Benefits

“…Caffeoylquinic acids, for example, have been shown to disrupt bacterial cell walls [ 44 ], while flavonoids have been shown to interfere with microbial enzyme activity [ 45 ]. These compounds collectively demonstrate a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses [ 46 ]. The specific molecular targets of artichoke extracts vary, providing a versatile profile for combating diverse pathogens.…”

“…Artichoke leaf, head, and stem extracts have shown inhibitory effects on the growth of common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Salmonella spp. [ 46 ].…”