Physiological Effects of Some Medicinal Plants on the Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Male Laboratory Rats

Abstract

Excess weight and obesity are serious problems that occur as a result of an imbalance in energy storage and consumption, which leads to subsequent accumulation of fat, leading to problems in body functions, especially the liver, which leads to its degeneration and the occurrence of injuries, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Adult white male rats were used in this study. (Rattus norvegicus) of the (Sprague dawely) breed, whose age ranged between (2-3) months and its weight (190-200) grams. The experiment was divided into two stages, the first stage was the infection stage and was divided into two groups, the first group was the healthy control group (Control group) with five Animals: This group was given normal drinking water and food daily for (45) days, and the second group was fed animal fat mixed with the diet at a rate of (30 %) of the weight of the diet (high fat food), symbolized by (HF), for a period of (45) days and at a rate of 15 animals,. At the end of the infection phase, blood biochemical tests were performed for both groups. The study showed a significant increase in the level of the activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum (ALP), the activity of the enzyme aspartate amino transferase in the blood serum (AST), and the level of the activity of the enzyme alanine transaminase in the blood serum. Blood (ALT) compared to the healthy control group (C). As for the histological analysis, there was clear fatty degeneration in the liver of rats that were fed a high-fat diet (HF). During the treatment phase, which lasted (28) days, one of the groups was left to feed on a high-fat diet, and the experimental animals were divided into three groups. The first: They were fed a high-fat diet in addition to Urtica Dioica nettle leaf powder, at a rate of (300) mg per day and symbolized by (HF). + U.d), the second: fed a high-fat diet in addition to Moringa oleifera leaf powder at a rate of (300) mg per day and symbolized by HF + M.o). The third: fed a high-fat diet in addition to a powder of dandelion leaves Cichorium intybus at a rate of (300) (mg) daily, symbolized by (HF + C.i). The medicinal plant groups (nettle, moringa, and dandelion) showed a noticeable improvement in liver function through a decrease in liver enzymes compared to the infected control group (HF). They also showed a noticeable therapeutic improvement in liver tissue compared to the infected control group, which She continued to feed with a high-fat diet.