Persimmon carotenoid extract rich in β-cryptoxanthin improves glucose homeostasis and reduces liver damage in high-fat-diet-induced type 2 diabetic and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease mice

Abstract

Background: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) byproducts are a remarkable source of bioactive compounds, particularly carotenoids. Several studies suggest that carotenoids have beneficial effects in prevention of a large number of diseases. This study aims to highlight the effects of a persimmon carotenoid extract (PSCE) rich in β-cryptoxanthin (β-CRX, 51%) in ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in male C57BL6J mice. Animals were fed with a low-fat diet (LFD, n = 10), a LFD plus PSCE (0.8 mg kg−1 body weight per day; LFD-PSCE, n = 10), or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 20), for 6 months. At the third month, 10 random mice from the HFD group were supplemented with PSCE for the remaining 3 months (HFD-PSCE, n = 10). Results: Changes in body weight, glucose homeostasis, serum lipid profile, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, total liver lipid content and extracellular collagen accumulation were determined. PSCE supplementation reduced body weight in 40% (P < 0.05), improved insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis (P < 0.01) and serum lipid profile (P < 0.05), decreased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in 30% (P < 0.05) and reduced liver steatosis and fibrosis (P < 0.05). In vitro, PSCE also reduced oxidative stress and triglyceride accumulation in 40% and 20%, respectively, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (P < 0.001), supporting its in vivo effects. Conclusion: PSCE ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction, inflammation and liver injury, suggesting persimmon byproducts represent a promising source of bioactive compounds for managing T2DM and MASLD. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanistic and molecular role of β-CRX, the main persimmon carotenoid, in mediating these protective effects. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.