Hepatoprotective effects of Erythrina abyssinica Lam Ex Dc against Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome recognized as the most prevalent chronic liver disease across all age groups. NFLD is strongly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Extensive research efforts are geared, through pharmacological approach, towards preventing or reversing this. Erythrina abyssinica Lam ex DC is an indigenous tree used widely used in traditional medicine, including for the treatment of liver related diseases, and has been shown to possess hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial and anti-plasmodia effects. The present study is aimed at establishing the effects of E. abyssinica on the development of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat and high-sugar diet in rats, in-vivo model.\n\nMethodsForty rats (40) were randomly divided into five groups: positive control (pioglitazone), Negative control (high fat/high sugar diet), low test dose (200 mg/kg), high test dose (400 mg/kg) and normal group (standard chow pellets and fresh water).\n\nThe inhibitory effect of the stem bark extract of E. abyssinica on the development of NAFLD was evaluated by chronic administration the herb extracts to rats on a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Biochemical indices of hepatic function including serum lipid profile, serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were then determined. Histological analysis of liver samples was carried out to quantify the degree of steato-hepatitis. Liver weights were taken and used to determine the hepatic index. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and Tukeys post-hoc tests were done in cases of significance. Histology data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunns post-hoc test was done in cases of significance. Significance was set at p<0.05.\n\nResultsThe freeze dried extract of E. abyssinica had significant effects on fasting blood glucose [5.43 {+/-} 0.17 (HF/HSD) vs 3.8 {+/-} 0.15 (E 400 mg/kg) vs 4.54 {+/-} 0.09 (E 200 mg/kg) vs. 4.16 {+/-} 0.13 (PIOG) vs. 2.91 {+/-} 0.16 (normal control): P value < 0.0001], and insulin sensitivity [329.4 {+/-} 13.48 mmol/L {middle dot} min (HF/HSD) vs. 189.8 {+/-} 12.11 mmol/L {middle dot} min (E 400 mg/kg) vs. 233.8 {+/-} 6.55 mmol/L{middle dot} min (E 200 mg/kg) vs. 211.1 {+/-} 7.35 mmol/L {middle dot} min (PIOG) vs. 142.9 {+/-} 11.94 mmol/L {middle dot} min: P value < 0.0001],\n\nThe extract had significant effects on hepatic indices including, hepatic triglycerides (P value < 0.0001), liver weights (P value < 0.0001), liver weight-body weight ratio (P value < 0.0001), serum ALT levels (P value < 0.0001), serum AST (P value < 0.0017), serum total cholesterol (P value < 0.0001), serum triglycerides (P value < 0.0001), and serum LDL-cholesterol (P value < 0.0001). The extracts however showed no significant effects on HDL-cholesterol (P value = 0.4759).\n\nHistological analysis showed that the extract appears to possess protective effects against steatosis, inflammation and hepatic ballooning, with the high dose (400mg/kg) being more hepato-protective.\n\nConclusionThe freeze dried stem bark extract of Erythina abyssinica possesses significant inhibitory effects against the development of NAFLD in Sprague Dawley rats.