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Planta Med 2014; 80(11): 870-879
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382841
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ruscogenin Protects against High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Hamsters

Hung-Jen Lu
1   Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
Shorong-Shii Liou
2   Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
Chia Ju Chang
2   Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
Sheng Da Lin
2   Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
Cheng Yang
2   Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
Ming-Chang Wu
1   Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
,
I-Min Liu
2   Department of Pharmacy & Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 20 March 2014
revised 03 June 2014

accepted 11 June 2014

Publication Date:
12 August 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The protective effects of ruscogenin on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in hamsters fed a high-fat diet were investigated. Ruscogenin (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg/day) was orally administered by gavage once daily for eight weeks. A high-fat diet induced increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids, while the degree of insulin resistance was lowered by ruscogenin. High-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation were improved by ruscogenin. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and activity of nuclear transcription factor-κB were also increased in the high-fat diet group, which were attenuted by ruscogenin. Ruscogenin decreased hepatic mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and its lipogenic target genes. The hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, together with its target genes responsible for fatty acid β-oxidation were upregulated by ruscogenin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ruscogenin may attenuate high-fat diet-induced steatohepatitis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reducing hepatic lipogenic gene expression, and upregulating proteins in the fatty acid oxidation process.

Key words

fatty acid β-oxidation - inflammatory cytokines - lipogenic gene - nonalcoholic steatohepatitis - ruscogenin
 

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