title: Ruscogenin ameliorates experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis via suppressing lipogenesis and inflammatory pathway.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effects of ruscogenin, a major steroid sapogenin in Ophiopogon japonicus, on experimental models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. HepG2 cells were exposed to 300 μmol/l palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h with the preincubation of ruscogenin for another 24 h. Ruscogenin (10.0 μmol/l) had inhibitory effects on PA-induced triglyceride accumulation and inflammatory markers in HepG2 cells. Male golden hamsters were randomly divided into five groups fed a normal diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or a HFD supplemented with ruscogenin (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg/day) by gavage once daily for 8 weeks. Ruscogenin alleviated dyslipidemia, liver steatosis, and necroinflammation and reversed plasma markers of metabolic syndrome in HFD-fed hamsters. Hepatic mRNA levels involved in fatty acid oxidation were increased in ruscogenin-treated HFD-fed hamsters. Conversely, ruscogenin decreased expression of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemoattractive mediator, nuclear transcription factor-(NF-) κB, and α-smooth muscle actin were increased in the HFD group, which were attenuated by ruscogenin. Ruscogenin may attenuate HFD-induced steatohepatitis through downregulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses, reducing hepatic lipogenic gene expression, and upregulating proteins in β-oxidation pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Thing-Fong
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shorong-Shii
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chang
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Min
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D050155:Lipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013150:Spirostans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013150:Spirostans; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C012541:ruscogenin