Alleviating effect of Ficus racemosa in high-fat-high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the chronic liver diseases. Ficus racemosa has been used for many years in the Ayurvedic medicine system and is closely related with the management of metabolic conditions. The study investigated alleviating effects of methanolic extract of F. racemosa (FRM) bark on high-fat-high-fructose (HFHF) diet-induced NAFLD. Materials and Methods: HFHF-based model was developed for a period of 10 weeks. In treatment groups, FRM (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) were administered for 6 weeks after initiating HFHF diet and continued for another 4 weeks. Liver functions test, lipid profile, serum leptin, and antioxidant parameters and histopathology were evaluated. Results: Elevated liver enzymes, lipid markers, and leptin were observed, with significant reduction in antioxidants in disease control rats. FRM treatment significantly improved serum aminotransferase activities, lipid profile, and oxidative changes and brought back to normal. Liver histopathology showed the fatty modifications induced by the HFHF diet, and reduction in fatty changes was observed due to FRM. Significant decline in serum leptin was observed with high-dose FRM. Conclusion: FRM showed positive effects in the reversal of NAFLD and different polyphenolic compounds in the plant were responsible for the proven action.