Yuzu, Citrus junos, peels extract ameliorated hepatic steatosis induced by chloretone in rats

Abstract

This study investigated how citrus yuzu peel ethanol extract (YPE) affected both fatty liver and liver damage in rats fed with chloretone. Chloretone, a xenobiotic, was used to increase the amount of liver triacylglycerol and simultaneously elevate the concentration of serum alanine aminotransferase by which one can estimate the degree of liver damage. Both the water-soluble and fat-soluble fractions of YPE inhibited fatty liver caused by chloretone. Although the fat-soluble fraction had a lesser effect on fatty liver than the water-soluble fraction, increasing the dosage of the fat-soluble fraction significantly ameliorated fatty liver. Amphiphilic components in the fat-soluble fraction played a key role in improvement. Metabolomic analysis suggested that YPE components would suppress fatty acid synthesis and promote fatty acid degradation. The present study revealed that both the water-soluble and amphiphilic fractions of YPE have a novel inhibitory effect on fatty liver.