Lipid-lowering and liver-protecting effect of Hongmacha

Objective To determine the lipid-lowering and liver-protecting effect of Hongmacha against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in rats.Methods Fifty male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a normal group,a model group,a high-dose group,a low-dose group and a compound methionine and choline bitartrate tablet group.All of the groups were fed with high glucose and fatty diet except the normal group.The rats were intragastrically administered Hongmacha(2.42,7.26 g·kg-1·d-1) and compound methionine and choline bitartrate tablets(1.2 g·kg-1·d-1) for 6 weeks.Levels of TG,TC,LDL-C,ALT,AST in the serum,and TC,TG,MDA,GSH and SOD in the hepatic tissue were detected,and pathological changes of the liver were observed under light microscope after 6 weeks.Results Compared with the model group,the Hongmacha high-dose group obviously reduced the liver index,ALT and AST,the serum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,and TC,TG,MDA in the hepatic tissue were significantly lowered,and the levels of hepatic SOD and GSH were significantly increased.Steatosis and hydropic degeneration were reduced significantly.Conclusion Hongmacha is superior to compound methionine and choline bitartrate tablets in protecting liver and reducing the lipid in hyperlipidemic fatty livers.Blood lipid,liver lipid and enzyme level are lowered remarkably by Hongmacha,which can aslo effectively protect the liver by improving the hepatic anti-oxidative capability,inhibiting lipid peroxidation and eliminating oxide free radicale of the body.