Ruscogenin Ameliorates Experimental Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis via Suppressing Lipogenesis and Inflammatory Pathway

Hung-Jen Lu, Thing-Fong Tzeng, Shorong-Shii Liou, Chia Ju Chang, Cheng Yang, Ming-Chang Wu, and I-Min Liu

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

 ruscogenin (≥98%; Chengdu Biopurify Phytochemicals Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Cat. no. 472-11-7)