Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf polysaccharide on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its mechanisms

A water-soluble polysaccharide fraction extracted from the leaf of Ginkgo biloba was named GBLP. The protective effect of GBLP on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was observed and underlying mechanism was explored. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups, namely, normal control group, model control group and GBLP groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d). A rat model of NAFLD was established in male Wistar rats by feeding with high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. On day 57, the intragastric administration of GBLP started once daily for 4 weeks. The results showed that GBLP supplementation significantly and dose-dependently lowered the weight gain of body, liver index and serum lipid parameters in HFD-fed rat. Meanwhile, GBLP attenuated HFD-induced liver injury through reducing hepatic steatosis, TG accumulation, serum ALT, AST and ALP levels. GBLP had a positive effect on obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR) via reducing serum glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, GBLP enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced MDA levels in serum and liver. These results indicate that GBLP can play a certain protective role against HFD-induced NAFLD, and the protective effects may be associated with attenuating IR, preserving liver function, enhancing antioxidant defense system, and reducing lipid peroxidation.