Preventive and therapeutic effects of pigment and polysaccharides in Lycium barbarum on alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in mice

This study aims to explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Lycium barbarum pigment (LP) and polysaccharides (LBPs) on alcohol-induced fatty liver disease (AFLD) in mice, through the measurement of serum and hepatic biochemical indexes, morphologic pathological observation and expression of metabolism-related genes. The results showed that LP and LBPs were non-toxic. The body weight, liver index, and lipid metabolic indexes were significantly inhibited by LP and LBPs. Besides, LP and LBPs could protect liver from oxidative injury and allergy, as suggested by increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Furthermore, through RT-PCR, LP, and LBPs were found to regulate liver injury related metabolism by increasing expression of AMPKα2 mRNA and reducing expressions of SREBP-1c, CYP2E1, TLR4, and Myd88 mRNA. Therefore, Lycium barbarum may be developed as a potential functional food regarding preventing and treating AFLD.