Puerarin Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health concern with limited early treatment options. Puerarin, an active component derived from Pueraria lobata (kudzu), has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for its potential therapeutic benefits. This study explores the effect of puerarin on the development of NAFLD and its mechanisms.

Methods: Sprague Dawley rats with NAFLD were induced with a high-fat diet (HFD). Control rats received a standard diet, while puerarin was administered by gavage (0.4 or 0.8 g/kg) daily from week 9. Body weights were recorded weekly. After 16 weeks, liver tissues and related indicators of rats were examined. Gut microbiota was assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal sample.

Results: Compared to HFD rats, those treated with puerarin showed significant reductions in body weight, liver weight, and liver index. Liver tissue levels of TG, TC, ALT, AST, and inflammatory factors were also significantly decreased. In addition, serum levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C were lower, while HDL-C level was higher in puerarin-treated groups. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that gut microbiota composition and diversity in the puerarin groups resembled those of healthy rats, maintaining the level of Subdologranulum and decreased the level of Ruminococcus.

Conclusion: Puerarin alleviates HFD diet-induced NAFLD by reducing inflammatory cytokine production and modulating the gut microbiota. Puerarin is a potential therapeutic drug for NAFLD, and regulating the gut microbiota is an effective strategy for treating NAFLD.