Effects of Water Extract from Orostachys japonicus on Lipid and Antioxidant Metabolism in the Liver of Obese Mice

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the liver lipid and antioxidant metabolism in obese rats following ingestion of Orostachys japonicus (OJ) hot water extract. The rats were fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. In the experimental group, 2.5% or 5% OJ hot water extract was added to the diets for 6 weeks. To determine the changes in the liver lipid and antioxidant metabolism in obese rats, the livers were collected and weighed, lipid content was measured, and antioxidant enzyme activity was determined. A significant decrease in liver weight was observed in the group fed with OJ hot water extracts and decreased lipid accumulation was observed in the morphological observation of liver tissue. Total cholesterol andtriglyceride contents were also decreased. Both OJ extracts significantly decreased 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Further, the levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalasewere significantly increased in rats treated with OJ extracts. These results suggest that the intake of OJ hot water extracts may improve liver lipid metabolism by activating antioxidant enzymes.