Auricularia polytricha aqueous extract supplementation decreases hepatic lipid accumulation and improves antioxidative status in animal model of nonalcoholic fatty liver

Amelioration effect of Auricularia polytricha water extract (AP) on hepatic injury in an animal model of NAFLD was investigated.

Findings suggest that under normal diet recovery, AP supplement may represent novel, protective material against NAFLD by attenuating inflammatory response, oxidative stress and lipid deposition.

Forty six-week-old Wistar rats were housed and thirty-two fed ten percent lard high-fat diet to induce NAFLD. After eight weeks of induction, animals were divided into five groups of eight rats each: normal control, high-fat diet, RN (reversion to a normal diet), 1× AP (normal diet plus 0.75% AP, w/w), and 2×AP (normal diet plus 1.5% AP). Animals were sacrificed four weeks later.

Rats receiving either 0.75% or 1.5% AP exhibited effective interruption of NAFLD progression, as evidenced by decreased lipid accumulation and elevated antioxidative status. Histological examination proved AP anti-inflammatory function and lower level of related markers for tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Besides abundant polysaccharides against lipid accumulation, AP had a specific high level of phenolic compounds and tannins thus may be a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent.