Passiflora edulis extract ameliorates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis mediated through Nrf2 and IRS-1 activation, NFκB suppression, and hepatic lipid metabolism and bile acid modulation in obese rats

This study aimed to examine the preventive effect of passion fruit extract (PFE) on HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. Forty-eight Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 6 groups;1) control, 2) HFD, 3) P250, 4) P500 (250 and 500 mg/kg BW of passion fruit, respectively), 5) P + SIM (250 mg/kg BW of passion fruit and 40 mg/kg BW of simvastatin), and 6) SIM (40 mg/kg BW of simvastatin). After 8 weeks, the passion fruit extract reduced the BW, lipids, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, increased fecal fat excretion, antioxidant enzymes, modulated related proteins and genes expressions (LDLR, ACC, FAS, Nrf2, NF-κB, IRS-1, Cd36, Hmgcr, Cyp7a1, and Bsep) in the liver. A histopathological study showed reduced fat droplets in the rat's livers. The PFE possessed an anti-obesity property and was effective in improving hepatic steatosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in the HFD-fed rat. Therefore, this study clearly demonstrated that PFE effectively improves NAFLD.