Comparison between the efficacies of curcumin and puerarin in C57BL/6 mice with steatohepatitis induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient diet

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent disease, which features an abnormal accumulation of lipids inside hepatocytes. Steatohepatitis plays a critical role in the process resulting in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Curcumin and puerarin are herbal products widely used in Asia, which are believed to have therapeutic benefits for alleviating the symptoms of steatohepatitis. In this study, mice models of steatohepatitis induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCD) were established to compare the pharmacological actions of curcumin and puerarin. The results showed that curcumin and puerarin exerted inhibitory effects against MCD-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Briefly, curcumin and puerarin significantly downregulated the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α in the blood serum of mice (P<0.01, versus the MCD group). In addition, the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins in the serum were significantly reduced by puerarin treatment (P<0.05, versus the MCD group). The concentration of interleukin-6 was downregulated by curcumin only (P<0.01, versus the MCD group). Curcumin and puerarin significantly increased the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ; P<0.05, versus the MCD group). Moreover, increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was markedly attenuated by curcumin (P<0.05, versus the MCD group). In conclusion, curcumin and puerarin appear to exert different actions against steatohepatitis. It is possible that puerarin regulated lipid metabolism in the ‘first hit’ stage through the PPARγ pathway, while curcumin inhibited the inflammatory response in the ‘second hit’ stage through the NF-κB pathway.

The Puerarin improves renal function in STZ-induced diabetic rats by attenuating eNOS expression

“…[25][26][27][28] Furthermore, it has been shown to have clinical applications in the treatment of coronary heart disease and diabetic nephropathy. [29][30][31] The previous study found that Puerarin may induce therapeutic angiogenesis in myocardium by inducing VEGF and eNOS expression in myocardium of rat with myocardial infarction.…”

Effects of a combination of puerarin, baicalin and berberine on the expression of proliferator-activated receptor-γ and insulin receptor in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…Chinese herbs have been traditionally used for treating liver disease worldwide (37), and there are numerous herbal products that are believed to benefit patients with NAFLD, with acceptable levels of safety. For example, previous studies have demonstrated that puerarin, baicalin and berberine, which are three major constituents of the Chinese herbs: Puerariae Radix, Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma, exhibit therapeutic effects on rats with NAFLD (20)(21)(22). However, there have been few reports regarding the compatibility of these constituents.…”

“…1A-C), are three major constituents of the Chinese herbs: Puerariae Radix [roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, PR], Scutellariae Radix (roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi SR) and Coptidis Rhizoma (rhizomes of Coptis chinensis Franch, CR), which have demonstrated therapeutic effects on rats models of NAFLD (20)(21)(22). It is believed that a combination of agents may effectively reduce side effects and improve adaptive resistance.…”

Flavonoids and Related Compounds in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Therapy

“…Its use in in vivo models of NASH reveals an improvement of steatosis, inflammation, ballooning and fibrosis, and a reduction of blood serum monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, TNFα and IL-6 levels. Lipoperoxidation is attenuated, the antioxidant status is enhanced, and the expressions of NF-κB, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), SREBP-1c, FAS, ACC and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase are decreased in the liver after curcumin treatment [80,106,107]. The beneficial effects of curcumin on steatosis and inflammation could be mediated by the STAT3 signaling activation and the improvement of mitochondrial function [107].…”

“…This isoflavone is able to diminish steatosis, inflammation and ballooning by reducing triglyceride and cholesterol levels and TNFα expression in the liver, and improving leptin signal transduction through janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways [78][79][80].…”