Exploring the therapeutic potential of silymarin-based herbal remedy (prebiotic) and probiotic blend in a mouse model of NAFLD: Insights into gut microbiota modulation and liver health
Tanya Ralli,
Shahnawaz Ahmad,
Zoya Saifi,
Abdulsalam Alhalmi,
Vidhu Aeri,
Mohd Aqil,
Kanchan Kohli
Affiliations
Tanya Ralli
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; School of Pharmacy, COER University, Roorkee-247667, India
Shahnawaz Ahmad
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
Zoya Saifi
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
Abdulsalam Alhalmi
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
Vidhu Aeri
Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
Mohd Aqil
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
Kanchan Kohli
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; Research and Publications, Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology, Knowledge Park II, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India; Corresponding author. Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant consequence of metabolic dysfunction, often associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics have shown promise in NAFLD management. This study evaluated a silymarin-based herbal remedy with piperine and fulvic acid, alongside a probiotic blend of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Using a NAFLD mouse model induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet, we assessed biochemical parameters, liver function, glucose levels, and conducted histological analysis. Stool samples underwent 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis to explore changes in microbiota composition. Mice on the high-fat diet exhibited elevated lipids, liver enzymes, and glucose, with reduced high-density lipoprotein levels (with p value < 0.001). Treatment, particularly with F3 (silymarin-piperine-fulvic acid herbal remedy and probiotic blend), significantly reduced hepatic fat accumulation and improved gut microbiota composition. This study highlights the potential of silymarin-based therapy combined with probiotics in attenuating NAFLD progression.
