Auricularia polytricha aqueous extract supplementation decreases hepatic lipid accumulation and improves antioxidative status in animal model of nonalcoholic fatty liver

Background: Amelioration effect of Auricularia polytricha water extract (AP) on hepatic injury in an animal model of NAFLD was investigated. Methods: Forty six-week-old Wistar rats were housed and thirty-two fed ten percent lard high-fat diet to induce NAFLD. After eight weeks of induction, animals were divided into five groups of eight rats each: normal control, high-fat diet, RN (reversion to a normal diet), 1 × AP (normal diet plus 0.75% AP, w/w), and 2 × AP (normal diet plus 1.5% AP). Animals were sacrificed four weeks later. Results: Rats receiving either 0.75% or 1.5% AP exhibited effective interruption of NAFLD progression, as evidenced by decreased lipid accumulation and elevated antioxidative status. Histological examination proved AP anti-inflammatory function and lower level of related markers for tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Besides abundant polysaccharides against lipid accumulation, AP had a specific high level of phenolic compounds and tannins thus may be a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent. Conclusion: Findings suggest that under normal diet recovery, AP supplement may represent novel, protective material against NAFLD by attenuating inflammatory response, oxidative stress and lipid deposition.