Alleviation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by Huazhi Fugan Granules is associated with suppression of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Introduction In parallel with the improvement of living standard, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) becomes the most common liver disease around the world. Huazhi Fugan Granules (HZFGG) is a formula which is used to treating of fatty liver, Based on the data we studied, HZFGG may have potential as a therapeutic formula for the alleviation of NAFLD. Objectives The aim of our study was to identifying the improvement of HZFGG on NAFLD and exploring the potential mechanisms. Methods MCD diet fed C57BL/6 mice once a day for 4 weeks to induce NAFLD model, HZFGG (10, 15, 20g/kg) orally administered simultaneously. The serum levels of TC, TG, ALT, AST were detected. H&E and Oil Red O staining were used to observed the liver sections. TNF-α, IL-1β and Gpx were also detected. The expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB, NF-κB, p-IκBa were measured by western blotting assay. The apoptosis of the liver tissues were detected by TUNEL assay. Results HZFGG decreased the serum levels of TC, TG, ALT, AST in MCD-diet mice. HZFGG alleviated inflammation by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and ameliorated oxidative stress through increased the level of Gpx. HZFGG Attenuates MCD-induced liver steatosis and injury in mice. Hepatocyte apoptosis was decreased after HZFGG treatment. Furthermore, HZFGG also suppressed the expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88, subsequently, inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB and IκBa. Conclusion HZFGG can improved MCD induced hepatic injury through inhibited TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in NAFLD model.