Hepatoprotective Effect of Asiaticoside Present in Centella Asiatica Ethanol 50% Extract (CA-HE50) Through Inhibition of Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCentella asiatica (L.) Urb.is an important medicinal herb mainly used in the East including India and China, and has recently gained popularity in the West as well. This herb has been used as a traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India for thousands of years, and it is also listed in the historic Indian medical book 'Sushruta Samhita'. C. asiatica is traditionally used for various ailments including asthma, anti-allergic, anticancer, bronchitis, circulatory stimulant, diuretic, liver complaints, gastric, hypotensive, kidney troubles, urethritis, and to improve mental ability.Aim of the studyNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a worldwide prevalence of about 25%. The incidence is increasing due to the increase in obesity, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, also, liver cirrhosis due to NAFLD is predicted to be a major cause of liver transplantation in the future. In this study, C. asiatica 50% ethanol extract (CA-HE50), which was confirmed to have a hepatoprotective effect, was selected as a material that could help prevent and alleviate NAFLD, and the study was conducted.MethodsThe effects of CA-HE50 on fat accumulation, fatty acid oxidation, and anti-inflammation were confirmed through western blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis.ResultsCA-HE50 reduced lipid droplet accumulation in hepatocytes (P<0.01). This is considered to be because CA-HE50 significantly suppressed the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and proteins, including low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), liver X receptor (LXR) α, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), by promoting AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activation (P<0.05 and P<0.01). In addition, it was confirmed that CA-HE50 has the effect of increasing the expression of PPARα (P<0.05) and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) (P<0.05).ConclusionThe lipid accumulation inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects confirmed through this study are sufficient to judge CA-HE50 as a natural product that can help prevent and alleviate the occurrence of NAFLD. It also shows the potential for use as a health-promoting formulation in hepatoprotective functional foods.

Note:
Funding declaration: This study was supported by the Korean Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry (IPET) through the High Value-Added Food Technology Development Program, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (117050-3).

Conflicts of Interest: None

Keywords: Centella asiatica, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, anti-adipogenesis, anti-lipogenesis, anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective