Novel Combinatorial Regimen of Garcinol and Curcuminoids for Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) in Mice

Sci Rep. 2020 May 4;10(1):7440. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64293-w.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic liver disease with a significant unmet clinical need. In this study, we examined the protective effects of Garcinia indica extract standardized to contain 20% w/w of Garcinol (GIE) and 95% Curcuminoids w/w from Curcuma longa (Curcuminoids) in a Stelic animal model (STAM) of NASH. The STAM mice developed steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation, which were significantly reduced by the combination of GIE and Curcuminoids, resulting in a lower NAFLD activity score. The treatment reduced fibrosis as observed by Sirius red staining, liver hydroxyproline content and mRNA levels of TGF- β and collagen in the liver. Immunostaining with alpha-smooth muscle actin (α SMA) revealed a significant reduction in hepatic stellate cells. Intriguingly, the combination regimen markedly decreased the mRNA levels of MCP1 and CRP and both mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α. NF-kB, reduced the hepatic and circulating FGF21 levels and altered the nonenzymatic (glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidant markers (Glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase). Our results suggest that the combination of GIE and Curcuminoids can reduce the severity of NASH by reducing steatosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The results suggest that the combinatorial regimen could be an effective supplement to prevent the progression of liver steatosis to inflammation and fibrosis in NASH.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Diarylheptanoids / administration & dosage*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fatty Liver
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muscle, Smooth / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / drug therapy*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Terpenes / administration & dosage*
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antioxidants
  • Diarylheptanoids
  • Terpenes
  • Triglycerides
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione
  • garcinol