GanMeijian ameliorates lipid accumulation and oxidative damage in alcoholic fatty liver disease in Wistar rats.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), a major public health problem, has drawn clinical and scientific attention. The study aims to investigate the effect of Ganmeijian [crude extract of malt root, phosphoesterase complex (Pho)] on AFLD, and explore the possible mechanisms. An AFLD rat model was made. 30 and 60 mg/kg Pho were administrated through intestinal fistula for 5 weeks. Compared with those in model group, AST, LDL-C and TC in 30 mg/kg Pho group and TC in 60 mg/kg Pho group decreased. The mRNA level of Fas, Gpat1 and Srebp-1c in Pho groups was significantly reduced. The level of GSH-Px was increased, mitochondrial activity was improved, and the level of MDA and ROS was reduced in Pho groups. Pho shows a beneficial effect on AFLD. The mechanisms are possibly related to Pho inhibiting the expression of fat synthesis genes, protecting the function and increasing the activity of mitochondria in hepatocytes, then reducing the accumulation of ROS and the level of oxidative stress in the liver.