In parallel with the prevalence
metabolic syndrome,
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD) has become the most common chronic
liver disease in most countries. It features a constellation of simple steatosis,
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),
fibrosis,
cirrhosis, and even
hepatocellular carcinoma. There are no approved drugs for effective management of
NAFLD and NASH. Jianpi Huoxue formula (JPHX) mainly consists of Atractylodes macrocephal (
Baizhu), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Rasux Paeonia Alba (Baishao), Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie), and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis (Wuweizi), which may have beneficial effects on
NAFLD. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of JPHX on
NAFLD. A
NAFLD model was induced by
methionine-
choline-deficient food (MCD) in Wistar rats and orally administered with simultaneous JPHX, once a day for 8 weeks. Hepatocellular injury,
lipid profile,
inflammation,
fibrosis, and apoptosis were evaluated. The results showed that JPHX significantly decreased the abnormal serum
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and
aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels compared with the MCD model (P<0.05). Furthermore, JPHX protected MCD diet-fed rats from accumulation of hepatic
triglycerides (TG) and total
cholesterol (TC). Histological examination demonstrated that JPHX noticeably normalized the
NAFLD activity score (
NAS). Moreover, JPHX ameliorated liver
inflammation by decreasing TNF-α levels and reduced
collagen and
matrix metalloproteinases in MCD diet-fed rats. In addition, JPHX prevented rats from MCD-induced cellular apoptosis, as suggested by TUNEL staining, and suppressed the activation of
caspase 3 and 7
proteins. JPHX also inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK. In conclusion, JPHX exhibited a hepatoprotective effect against
NAFLD in an MCD experimental model.