Preventive effects of total flavonoids of Litsea coreana leve on hepatic steatosis in rats fed with high fat diet

Aim of the studyTo evaluate the protective effects of total flavonoids of Litsea Coreana leve (TFLC) on rat high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis model.Materials and methodsRats were given either a high fat diet alone or the same diet plus TFLC for 4 weeks.ResultsTFLC improved liver histology with reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as decreased the over accumulation lipids in serum and liver. TFLC increased serum levels of leptin and insulin, while decreased serum TNFα level in high fat diet fed rat. Furthermore, TFLC was found increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in high fat diet fed rat liver. These benefits were associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in high fat diet fed rat liver.ConclusionsTFLC exerts protective effects against hepatic steatosis in rats fed with high fat diet possibly through its antioxidant actions, improving the adipocytokines release and increasing the expression of PPARα.