Fructus Xanthii attenuates hepatic steatosis in rats fed on high-fat diet

Fructus Xanthii (FX) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine for rhinitis, headache, cold, etc. Modern pharmacological studies revealed that FX possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on glucose and insulin tolerance, and hepatic lipid metabolism in rats fed on high-fat diet (HFD). Hepatic steatosis was induced by HFD feeding. Aqueous extraction fractions of FX or vehicle were orally administered by gavage for 6 weeks. Body weight and blood glucose were monitored. Glucose and insulin tolerance test were performed. Liver morphology was visualized by hematoxylin and eosin, and oil red O staining. Expression of liver lipogenic and lipolytic genes was measured by real-time PCR. We showed here that FX improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD rats. FX significantly decreased the expression of lipogenic genes and increased the expression of lipolytic genes, ameliorated lipid accumulation and decreased the total liver triglyceride (TG) content, and thus attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, FX improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreases lipogenesis and increases lipid oxidation in the liver of HFD rats, implying a potential application in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.