Hepatoprotecive effects of Lycium barbarum leave's ethanol extracts in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease models and HepG2 cell

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of the material to develop a food material for the treatment of NAFLD usingan animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: The material used in the experiment was extract of Lycium barbarum's leaves (LBL) with chlorophyll removal. This material has also been reported to have excellent anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity in our previous study. In this study, we estimated the anti- fatty liver disease effect of LBL in NAFLD animal model and in HepG2 cell induced trilyceride accumulation with palmitate. Results: There was no difference in serum TG and total cholesterol concentrations, and ALT and AST activities were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Compared to the liver tissue of the control group, the size and number of fat cells were significantly decreased in the LBL-treated group. Both TG and TC contents of liver tissue were significantly decreased in the LBL-treated group compared to the control group. As a result of WST assay measurement in HepG2 cells, toxicity was not observed up to a concentration of 1000 μg/mL. As a result of ORO staining, compared with the control group, fat accumulation was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner in the LBL group. It had a concentration-dependent effect and showed anti-fatty liver efficacy. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum's leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed appears to have anti-fatty liver efficacy, and the potential for development as a functional material was confirmed.