Abstract

ANTIINFLAMMATORY AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF HERBAL EXTRACTS IN NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Diwaker Dadrwal, D. Renuka Madhav Suryawanshi*, Bharti Sahu, Mahesh Kumar Gupta, Shakkeela Yusuf Erattil Ahammed, Vivekanand Katare, Sushil Kumar Gulia, Krishnendu Ray*

ABSTRACT

Aim- The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of various plant-derived herbal extracts against NAFLD and to provide an evidence-based evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of these herbal treatments. Material & Methods- The roots of Curcuma longa were purchased from the local market and herbarium sheet was prepared for authentication. HepG2 cells were obtained from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India. They were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 µg/mL streptomycin, and maintained in an incubator with 5% CO₂ at 37ºC. The cytotoxic effects of the plant extracts were evaluated using the MTT assay as originally described by Mosmann (1983), with minor modifications. HepG2 cells were seeded into 96-well plates at a density of 5 × 10³ cells per well and incubated for 24 hours. The animals were divided into four groups: Group 1 received a normal fat diet (NFD) and was treated with the vehicle; Group 2 received a high-fat diet (HFD) and was also treated with the vehicle; Group 3 received HFD followed by treatment with fenofibrate at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight; and Group 4 received HFD and was treated with the methanolic extract at 100 mg/kg body weight. Results- Exposure of HepG2 cells to the PO-BSA mixture led to intracellular lipid accumulation. Microscopic images of both treated and untreated HepG2 cells, stained with Oil Red O (ORO), are provided. A notable decrease in lipid accumulation was observed at a treatment concentration of 15 µL. The serum biochemical parameters for ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH are illustrated in the accompanying graph. The serum biochemical analysis of animals in group 2, which were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and received vehicle treatment, revealed elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH. Conclusion- These initial findings indicate that the methanolic extract could be a viable candidate for the treatment of NAFLD. Additional comprehensive research on the methanolic extract for NAFLD treatment is warranted.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, Herbal Extracts, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Global population, Liver failure.