title: Cassia tora (Leguminosae) seed extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Cassia tora seeds on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind its effects. After being fed a HFD for two weeks, rats were orally dosed with Cassia seed ethanol extract (CSEE) (100, 200, or 300mg/kg) once daily for 8weeks. CSEE induced dose-dependent reductions in plasma lipid levels, as well as decreased the over hepatic lipid accumulation. Furthermore, CSEE treatment improved HFD-induced hepatic histological lesions. CSEE enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its primary downstream targeting enzyme, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, up-regulated the gene expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1, and down-regulated sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase protein levels in the livers of HFD-fed rats. AMPK inhibition by compound C retarded CSEE-induced reduction in triglyceride accumulation in HepG2 cells stimulated by insulin. Our findings suggest that CSEE may regulate hepatic lipid homeostasis related with an AMPK-dependent signaling pathway. Targeting AMPK activation with CSEE may represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pao Chien Hospital, Ping Tung City, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Thing-Fong
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Hung-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Shorong-Shii
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Chia Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: I-Min
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002366:Cassia / Q000737:chemistry*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D056945:Hep G2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase