Liquorice root extract and isoliquiritigenin attenuate high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and damage in rats by regulating AMPK

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the ability of Liquorice roots aqueous extract (LRE) and its ingredient, isoliquiritigenin (ISL), in alleviating high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and examined if this effect involves activation of AMPK.

Materials and methods: Control or HFD-fed rats were treated with the vehicle, LRE (200 mg/kg), or ISL (30 mg/kg) for 8 weeks orally.

Results: ISL and LRE reduced HFD-induced hyperglycaemia, improved liver structure, lowered serum and hepatic lipids, and attenuated hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation. In the control and HFD-fed rats, ISL and LRE significantly stimulated the muscular and hepatic mRNA and protein levels of AMPK, improved oral glucose tolerance, reduced hepatic mRNA levels of SREBP1/2, and upregulated hepatic levels of PPARα and Bcl2. These effects were comparable for ISL and LRE and were prevented by co-administration of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor.

Discussion and conclusion: ISL and LRE provide an effective theory to alleviate hepatic steatosis through activating AMPK.

Keywords:

• Liquorice
• ISL
• HFD
• hepatic steatosis
• AMPK

Acknowledgements

The authors extend thanks to the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP-2021/84), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the support of this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Researchers Supporting Project, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, grant number: RSP-2021/84.