Unraveling the Potential Role of Tecomella undulatain Experimental NASH

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground and AimThe pathophysiology of NASH is complex owing to its diverse pathological drivers, and until recently, there were no approved drugs for this disease.Tecomella undulatais a popular herbal medicine used to treat hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis, and obesity. However, the potential role ofTecomella undulatain NASH has not yet been scientifically investigated.Experimental ProcedureMice fed with chow diet and normal water (CDNW) or western diet and sugar water (WDSW) for 12 weeks were randomized to receive vehicle control, Saroglitazar, orTecomella undulatafor an additional 12 weeks. Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis, and liver enzymes were assessed. The oxidative stress, ER and inflammatory markers were determined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis.Results and ConclusionThe administration ofTecomella undulatavia oral gavage lowered body weight, insulin resistance, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), triglycerides, and total cholesterol in WDSW mice but had no effect on CDNW mice.Tecomella undulataimproved steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning and resolved NASH in WDSW mice. Furthermore,Tecomella undulataalso alleviated the WDSW-induced ER stress and oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant status, and thus reduced inflammation in the treated mice. Of note, these effects were on par with Saroglitazar, the approved drug used to treat human NASH and positive control used in the study.Thus, our findings indicate the potential ofTecomella undulatato ameliorate WDSW-induced steatohepatitis, and these preclinical data provide a strong rationale for assessingTecomella undulatafor the treatment of NASH in humans.