<i>Sasa veitchii</i> extract alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in methionine–choline deficient diet‐induced mice by regulating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha

Abstract

Abstract Aim Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a pandemic liver disease. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Sasa veitchii extract (SE) in a mouse model of methionine–choline‐deficient (MCD) diet‐induced NASH. Methods Eight‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or an MCD diet for 8 weeks (0–8 weeks). SE (0.1 mL) was administered orally once daily for the latter period (4 weeks; 5–8 weeks). Body weight was measured weekly. The mice were euthanized and plasma samples were collected. Livers were collected and weighed. Results The MCD diet decreased the liver/body weight ratio, elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and increased liver oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation. These changes were alleviated by SE administration. We also found that the MCD‐induced increase in triglycerides and lipid droplets in the liver was attenuated by SE. Furthermore, MCD‐induced glutathione peroxidase‐4 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha downregulation was sustained by SE administration. Conclusion Our results showed that SE protected mice against MCD‐induced hepatic injury, including oxidative stress and inflammation, by modulating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha activation.