Mechanic study of Qushi Kaiyu decoction on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease model rats based on the inhibition of TLR4/NF-ĸB pathway

Background:The objective of this research was to examine the impact of the Chinese herbal formula Qushi Kaiyu(QSKY)on rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and its inhibitory effect on the TLR4/NF-ĸB pathway.Methods:NAFLD model rats was constructed through high-fat diet.Meanwhile,rats were treated with QSKY(6.4 g/kg)by gavage.The therapeutic effect of QSKY on NAFLD was assessed by testing body weight change,the liver index,lipid concentrations in blood,and antioxidant and inflammatory levels;assessing liver function;and performing pathological staining including hematoxylin-eosin and Oil Red O.The protein levels of key factors in the TLR4/NF-ĸB pathway(TLR4,MyD88,p65 and IKB)in rat liver tissue were determined using western blotting in order to explore the mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effects of QSKY in rats with NAFLD.Results:QSKY significantly reduced the liver index and body weight value;reduced triglyceride,cholesterol,alanine aminotransferase,and aspartate aminotransferase levels in NAFLD rats;improved the pathological changes,such as ballooning degeneration,fat accumulation,necrosis,and inflammation;elevated GSH-Px and superoxide dismutase activities and lowered malondialdehyde levels,indicating that QSKY enhanced the antioxidant capacity;and reduced inflammatory cytokine(IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α)levels.Western blotting results showed that QSKY significantly reduced TLR4,MyD88,and decreased the phosphorylation of IKB and p65 protein levels in the livers of rats with NAFLD.Conclusions:QSKY showed therapeutic effects on NAFLD and can alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation.This mechanism may be related to an improvement in TLR4/NF-ĸB pathway.