Ameliorative Effects of Cirsium jaonicum, Artemisia annua and Curcuma longa on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

 In this study, the effect of complex hot water extracts of Cirsium jaonicum, Artemisia annua and Curcuma longa (CAC) on the improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was investigated. CAC inhibited fatty acid synthesis and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells cultured with free fatty acid (FFA). In the NAFLD animal model, CAC extract suppressed the increase in body weight, liver, and epididymis fat weight, and suppressed the increase in hepatocyte fat and blood triglyceride. In addition, by blocking the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, cells were protected from oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Moreover, CAC inhibited the expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF- and IL-17 in hepatocytes. These results suggest the possibility that CAC extract can be applied in the field of health functional foods and pharmaceuticals for improvement and prevention of NAFLD.