PMFs-rich Citrus extract prevents the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in C57BL/6J mice induced by a high-fat diet

[Display omitted] •Nine PMFs were identified in the EDX using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS system.•Supplementation of PMFs- enrich EDX improved the pathologic features of NAFLD.•The benefit of EDX on improving NAFLD may associate with the activation of Nrf2 pathways in liver. Oxidative stress and excessive lipid accumulation in liver tissues are considered as important factors in development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and strongly associated with insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia. In this study, the effect of PMFs-enriched extract of Daoxianyeju (Citrus daoxianensis S.W. He) (EDX) on NAFLD were examined using high fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6 mice. Daily supplementation of 0.2% and 0.5% EDX with high fat diet (w/w) over ten weeks markedly improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance as well as lipid profiles, alleviated hepatic steatosis, inflammatory and oxidative stress. The benefit of EDX on improving pathology of NAFLD induced by high fat diet may associate with the activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways in liver tissues. Our study showed that citrus PMFs may use as a dietary therapy for NAFLD and related metabolic disorders.