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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
Carnosic acid prevents obesity and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice
Ting Wang1, Yasuhiro Takikawa, Takumi Satoh
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iwate Medical University Department of Welfare Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Iwate University Department of Pathology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Morioka Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka Research and Development Center, Nagase, Tokyo, Japan.
Aim:
Carnosic acid (CA) inhibits adipogenesis in vitro. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of CA in ob/ob mice.
Methods:
The experimental animals were given a standard chow diet with or without CA for 5 weeks. Bodyweight gain and food intake were measured during this period. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis, histological examination, serum chemistry analysis and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) were all performed.
Results:
The mice fed CA experienced significant weight loss and reduced visceral adiposity, in addition to significantly reduced serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels. Importantly, CA had a dramatic effect on the liver by reducing the hepatic TG content, thus decreasing serum alanine aminotransferase levels. In addition, IPGTT revealed that CA significantly improved glucose tolerance.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that CA is a novel therapeutic agent for obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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