Cynara Cardunculus Flavonoids-rich Fraction Alleviates Liver Injury in Mice Overconsumed Fructose Model

Nacera Baali; Zahia Belloum; Fadila Benayache; Samir Benayache

doi:10.2174/012772574X275103231206050222

Cynara Cardunculus Flavonoids-rich Fraction Alleviates Liver Injury in Mice Overconsumed Fructose Model

Recent Adv Food Nutr Agric. 2024 Jan 24. doi: 10.2174/012772574X275103231206050222. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Nacera Baali¹, Zahia Belloum², Fadila Benayache², Samir Benayache²

Affiliations

¹ Animal Biology Department, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mentouri Brothers University Constantine1, Constantine, Algeria.
² VARENBIOMOL Research Unit, Mentouri Brothers University Constantine1, Algeria.

PMID: 38305313
DOI: 10.2174/012772574X275103231206050222

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a major global health burden in the world. Cynara cardunculus is an edible plant growing wild in the North of Algeria. Its potential as a source of health-promoting compounds is still underexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the preventive effect of Cynara cardunculus (C.cardunculus) on the NAFLD model.

Methods: Total flavonoid contents (TFC) and in vitro antioxidant effects of butanolic (n- BuTOH) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions on scavenging the ABTS+ radical, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reducing power proprieties were assessed. The n-ButOH fraction showed the highest TFC and antioxidant capacity in all realized assays. This fraction is used for anti- NAFLD experiments. Adult male Albinos mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 was normal control. Group 2 was watered with 30% of fructose for three weeks to induce the NAFLD model. Group 3 and Group 4 were co-treated with C. cardunculus n-ButOH fractions and Atorvastatin, respectively for three weeks. Blood and livers were collected for biochemical and histological analysis.

Results: The C. cardunculus n-ButOH fractions significantly restored levels of transaminases, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, glucose and uric acid. The n-ButOH fraction exerted an improving effect on the body and liver weight and liver index. It also significantly corrected the imbalance in liver MDA and GSH levels. The n-ButOH fractions further ameliorated abnormalities in liver histology through suppression of lipid droplet accumulation.

Conclusion: This research proves that the flavonoid-rich fraction of C. cardunculus has protective activity against high fructose intake in mice via reversing hyperlipidemia and boosting liver antioxidant capacity.

Keywords: Cynara cardunculus; Fructose high intake; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); antioxidant; lipid profile; mice; oxidative stress; wild Artichoke.