Protective Effect and Mechanism of Artesunate Self-microemulsions on NAFLD Rats

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect of the artesunate self-microemulsions on rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS The model of NAFLD was constructed by feeding rats with high fat diet for 10 weeks. SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the essentinale group, the artesunate group, the high, middle and low dose of artesunate self-microemulsions group. All the rats were sacrificed after 10 weeks of treatment. Serum sample were collected for the contents detection of ALT, AST, TG, TC, TNF-α and IL-10. RESULTS Compared with the model group, each drug treatment group (except low dose of artesunate self-microemulsions group) could significantly reduce ALT, AST, TG, TC, TNF-α and IL-10 levels in serum (P<0.05 or <0.01). CONCLUSION The artesunate self-microemulsions has a better protective effect on NAFLD rats induced by high fat diet. The mechanisms may be related to inhibiting lipid peroxide, reducing the level of inflammatory mediator in the liver.