Background and purpose: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing problem with a significant burden. Lifestyle modification is the recommended treatment, but researchers are exploring other options. This study focused on the effects of Fumaria parviflora (FP) extracts on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats.
Experimental approach: Thirty-five 10-week-old male Wister-Albino rats were divided into seven groups: normal diet control, high fat diet control, high fat diet with oral normal saline gavage, high fat diet with oral Atorvastatin gavage, and three groups receiving high fat diet with FP extract in 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 700 mg/kg.Blood samples of rats were used for the measurement of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).1×1 cm Liver biopsies were taken, stained with Trichrome Stain (Masson) and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain for evaluation by a pathologist.
Findings/results: Lab results showed that FP extract inhibits weight gain, has positive effects on triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase levels, and reduces hepatocyte ballooning and inflammation in rats.
Conclusion: FP extract may lower liver enzymes and have a positive impact on triglyceride, LDL, and HDL levels in rats with NAFLD.
Keywords: fumaria parviflora; histopathology; lipid profile; liver function test; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.