Lycium barbarum polysaccharides therapeutically improve hepatic functions in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis rats and cellular steatosis model

• DOI: 10.1038/srep05587
• Publication Date: 2014-07-07T09:08:29Z
• Authors: Jia Xiao; Feiyue Xing; Jie Huo; Man Lung Fung; Emily C. Liong; Yick Pang Ching; Aimin Xu; Raymond Chuen Chu...; Kwok Fai So; George L. Tipoe
• Keywords: Steatosis; Steatohepatitis

This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects and active components of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on a high fat diet-induced NASH rat model. We induced in model by voluntary oral feeding with high-fat diet ad libitum for 8 weeks. After weeks, 1 mg/kg LBP was orally administered another 4 weeks diet. When compared rats treated 12 treatment during induction showed ameliorative on: (1) increased body wet liver weights; (2) insulin resistance glucose metabolic dysfunction; (3) elevated level serum aminotransferases; (4) accumulation free fatty acid (FFA) level; (5) hepatic fibrosis; (6) oxidative stress; (7) inflammatory response; (8) apoptosis. These improvements were partially through modulation transcription factor NF-κB, MAPK pathways autophagic process. In palmitate acid-induced hepatocyte steatosis cell–based model, we also demonstrated that l-arabinose β-carotene accounted beneficial hepatocytes. conclusion, possesses variety hepato-protective properties which make it potent supplementary agent against future clinical trials.