Aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris L. modulates oxidative and metabolic disturbances in a diet-induced NAFLD rat model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing metabolic disorder associated strongly with the consumption of highly refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), particularly in its aqueous form, contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and metabolic regulatory properties, suggesting potential hepatoprotective effects. This study investigated the effects of aqueous beetroot extract on physiological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in male Wistar rats with NAFLD induced by a high-fat and fructose diet. Physiological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were measured in male Wistar rats with NAFLD due to excess high fat and high fructose in their diets. Each of the test animals were separated into four distinct test groups for analysis: a control group; a high fat plus fructose group and two treatment groups that received beetroot extract, which were classified in advance as either low or high doses. The indices and markers of physiology, liver dysfunction, serum lipid profiles and oxidative stress were measured, along with the indices of insulin resistance. The rats that were fed high fat and fructose diets experienced notable increases in body weight, aggravation of the fatty liver disease (high liver mass, high liver enzymes), severe dyslipidaemia, increased oxidative stress and impaired glucose-insulin homeostasis. Beetroot extracts exerted dose-dependent protective effects, including reductions in body and liver weight, normalisation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, improvement in triglyceride and cholesterol levels, restoration of antioxidant defenses (glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), and significant reductions in fasting glucose, insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Most of the high-dose beetroot extract values were almost equal to those of the control group. Thus, findings indicate beetroot extract reduces the metabolic and hepatic disorders caused by diet-induced NAFLD. The action could be attributed to the combination of the lipid-modulating and antioxidant action of beetroots. The results indicate that beetroot has the potential to be used as a functional food to prevent and manage the early stages of NAFLD.