Black rice bran extract exerts hepatoprotection via attenuating inflammation and apoptosis in obese-insulin-resistant rats.

Unlabelled: Global pandemic of obesity contributes to increasing the risk of diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To find an alternative approach to lower the risk caused by obesity.

Aims: We investigated the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective activity of black rice bran extract (BRE) in obese, insulin-resistant rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD).

Main Methods: After HFD feeding, the parameters related to glucose, lipid profiles, and liver injury were determined.

Key Findings: Rats on a HFD exhibited significantly elevated plasma glucose and lipid levels, as well as increased liver enzyme activities (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase), relative to the control group. Interestingly, those parameters in the BRE-treated group were significantly decreased. We investigated the liver histological study, and the BRE-treated group showed to ameliorate the liver injury accompanied by lower inflammatory and apoptotic markers.

Significance: Our findings suggest that BRE has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement to lessen metabolic dysregulation and prevent liver impairment.