J Nutr Health.  2023 Apr;56(2):123-139. 10.4163/jnh.2023.56.2.123.

Protective effect of chlorophyllremoved ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

• Lee H
• Bae EY
• Kim KA
• Ly SY

• KMID: 2542267
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2023.56.2.123

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted to establish whether an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves (LLE) and an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed, denoted as LLE(Ch⁻), have a protective effect against hepatic fat accumulation.
Methods
The inhibitory effects of LLE and LLE(Ch⁻) on liver fat accumulation were examined in C57BL/6 mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by an methionine and choline deficient diet and in HepG2 cells with palmitic acid-induced fat accumulation.
Results
The plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in the LLE(Ch⁻) group, whereas the plasma ALT activity decreased significantly in the LLE group. In both the LLE and the LLE(Ch⁻) groups, the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in the hepatic tissue were significantly reduced. A greater inhibitory effect on tissue fat accumulation was observed in the LLE(Ch⁻) group than in the LLE group. In HepG2 cells, LLE and LLE(Ch⁻) were non-toxic up to a concentration of 1,000 µg/mL. Compared to the control group, intracellular fat accumulation in the LLE and LLE(Ch⁻) groups were significantly reduced at concentrations of 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. The expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both LLE groups increased at the concentrations of 100 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL. The fatty acid synthase expression was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner at 10 μg/mL.
Conclusion
The examined two ethanol extracts of LLE inhibit hepatic fat accumulation in NAFLD. This effect was more pronounced in the LLE(Ch⁻) group. Therefore, these 2 extracts have an anti-steatosis effect and can be used for NAFLD treatment.

Keyword

Lycium barbarum; chlorophyll; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease