Effects of Ziziphus jujube Mill., Cynara scolymus L. and and Cichorium intybus L. combination extract on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important chronic liver diseases that is spreading worldwide. However, there is no effective treatment for it. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined extract of Ziziphus jujube Mill., Cynara scolymus L. and and Cichorium intybus L. on NAFLD induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rats.

In this experimental study 40 male rats randomly were divided in two groups: a sham group (n=8) and a high-fat diet group (n=32). After 4 months of feeding HFD, rats suffering from fatty liver into 4 groups (n=8) including a HFD group and the three groups receiving HFD and a dose of the combined extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) for 2 months. Finally, lipid profile, activity of serum liver enzymes and liver histology were investigated.

Remarkably, high-fat diet caused hypertriglyceridemia, hyper¬cholesterol¬emia, increased serum level of hepatic enzymes and accumulated fat in liver. The combined extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg improved lipid profile, hepatic enzyme activity, and histological changes in the liver.

Conclusively, the findings of this study show that combined extract of Ziziphus jujube Mill., Cynara scolymus L. and and Cichorium intybus L. could improve serum and histological characteristics of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by HFD.