This study examined the mechanism underlying the protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) against high-fat-diet (HFD)-mediated non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. Adult male rats were divided into five groups (n = 8 each): control fed a standard diet, control + RJ (300 mg/kg), HFD, HFD + RJ (300 mg/kg), and HFD + RJ + CC (0.2 mg/kg). The treatment with RJ reduced weight gain, increased fat pads, and attenuated fasting hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose tolerance in the HFD-fed rats. It also reduced the serum levels of liver function enzymes, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and leptin but significantly increased the serum levels of adiponectin. In addition, and with no effect on lipid excretion in stool, RJ significantly decreased the hepatic mRNA expression of SREBP1, serum, hepatic cholesterol, and triglycerides but increased hepatic mRNA levels of PPARα. Furthermore, RJ reduced the hepatic levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the livers of these rats. Of note, with no effect on the mRNA levels of AMPK, RJ stimulated the phosphorylation of AMPK and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total glutathione (GSH) in the livers of the control and HFD-fed rats. In conclusion, RJ attenuates NAFLD via its antioxidant potential and adiponectin-independent activation of liver AMPK.
Keywords: AMPK; NAFLD; hyperglycemia; hyperlipidemia; royal jelly.