Astragaloside IV Alleviates Liver Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis to Protect Against Experimental Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Xiao-yu Liang,1 Fen-Fang Hong,2 Shu-Long Yang1 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Experimental Teaching Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shu-Long YangDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13576291532Email slyang@ncu.edu.cnFen-Fang HongExperimental Teaching Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 18970965319Email hongfenfang@126.comPurpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main form of chronic liver disease in the world. Astragaloside IV (ASIV) has been tested in experimental models of different diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and protective mechanism of ASIV on NAFLD.Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and palmitate acid (PA)-induced RAW264.7 cells and LO2 cells were used as a NAFLD model. The mice NAFLD model was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Liver lipid metabolism was evaluated by triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) kits and oil red O staining. Oxidative stress indicators were examined through biochemical methods. Inflammatory factors were explored through enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), real-time quantitative PCR and oxidative stress indicator kits. The expression levels of 5-LO (5-lipoxygenase) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) were checked by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI cell apoptosis detection kit.Results: Our results showed that in vivo ASIV significantly reduced liver tissue damage, and serum AST, ALT and serum TG levels in NAFLD mice. In vitro, ASIV reduced cell supernatant TG and TC content increased by PA treatment, and significantly decreased the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets induced by PA ...