Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing clinical problem worldwide. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the methanol extract of Eclipta prostrata (E. prostrata) in rats using GC–MS followed by multivariate and univariate data analysis. Phytochemical study of E. prostrata extract was performed using chemical, colorimetric and HPLC analysis. Forty-two Wister albino rats were divided into 7 groups (6 in each) were used in this study. Fatty liver was induced in rats using a high-fat diet together with cholesterol and cholic acid then, they treated with different doses of E.prostrata. The histopathological examination of liver and NAFLD activity score (NAS) showed significant markers for the diagnosis of the early stage of the disease. Treatment with high doses of E. prostrata (300&200 mg/kg b.w.) extract exhibited significant improvement in liver function and lipid profile in rats bearing NAFLD. Lipidomic analysis showed a discrete variability in the levels of some metabolites including: cholest-5-en-3-ol (3β) – acetate; cholesta-4, 6-dien-3-ol, (3β); urea; 1, 3 dipalmatin; glycerol; linoleic acid and arachidonic acid in sera of rats bearing NAFLD in contrast to healthy ones. Treatment with E. prostrata extract showed noticeable amelioration in the levels of these metabolites. The present results concluded that E. prostrata in high doses (300&200 mg/kg b.w.) had the potential efficacy to ameliorate NAFLD. Nevertheless, lipidomics could be used for the early detection of NAFLD and in the assessment of the mechanism of herbal medications

Key words: Eclipta prostrata, GC-MS, Lipidomics, NAFLD